AWARD-WINNING No. 72 Winter 2006/2007

CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN FOR FOR REAL ALE REAL ALE

www.camrabristol.org.uk PPIIINNNTSTSTS WWWEEESSSTT PPPAward-winning newsletter of the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign forTTT Real Ale Tenth Glorious Year

Photo by Richard Brooks Bristol Beer Festival 2007 EVERY year we wonder how it can Council House on College Green with just 50 your favourite beer style (dark, golden, the possibly get better, and every year it real ales and less than 20 ciders and perries. increasingly rare ‘brown’ or even a real la- does! Small but beautifully formed, it was a major ger), we have something for you. You’ll find March 2007 sees the fabulous Bristol achievement for the volunteers from Bristol familiar local beers as well as those from Beer Festival reach its tenth year (and its and District CAMRA who spent the previous further afield that rarely make a visit to pubs fourth in the amazing Brunel Passenger Shed year planning and organising, and for the in the area. We also now offer one of the at Temple Meads). If this were a wedding many more from around the UK who helped largest ranges of real cider and perry of any anniversary, ten years would be celebrated us serve an enthusiastic crowd of around South-West CAMRA festival. with tin (apparently) but the 4,000 customers 1,800 people thirsty for a taste of the real It’s easy to see why the Festival has been who join us for the two-day event will have stuff! a sell-out success from its very first year and to make do with a Festival glass to sample a We’ve seen a lot of change in ten years, that’s unlikely to change for 2007. Tickets go selection from the more than 120 different with pub and brewery closures and, thank- on sale from 1st January (see page 2 inside real ales and 40 real ciders and perries on fully, some new additions. Your thirst for for details) – whether you’re a regular visitor, offer. good quality ‘real’ drinks has continued to or want to try something new, come and Our first Festival was a more modest grow over the years and the Festival has celebrate our tenth anniversary at the Bristol affair, launched in February 1998 in the grown in quality and quantity too. Whatever Beer Festival 2007. Lesly Huxley ...... PINTS WEST ...... Bristol Beer Festival 2007 The Cornubia and THE tenth annual Bristol Beer Festival will take place at the Brunel Passenger Brewery Tap: the Shed, Temple Meads, Bristol, on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd March 2007. There will be approximately 120 real ales mystery deepens and 40 ciders and perries. Food will be MONTHS have passed since July when the available at all sessions. The ticket price award-winning interior of the Smiles Brewery includes admission, programme and a Tap was shockingly gutted and the Conubia commemorative glass. Card-carrying was closed without warning. CAMRA members will receive a voucher for Sadly the future for both pubs remain a a free half-pint of beer, cider or perry. cause for considerable concern. There is still Admission is by advance ticket only: no sign of the promised micro-brewery on the site of the Smiles Brewery Tap, giving Friday: 11.30am - 4.00pm £4.00 unwelcome credence to the rumours that Friday: 7.00pm - 11.00pm £5.00 there was never any intention of this plan Saturday: 11.30am - 4.00pm £4.50 going ahead. Indeed, at the time of writing Saturday: 7.00pm - 11.00pm £4.00 the pub area of the site remains an empty shell. Tickets go on sale from 1st January 2007 More surprising is the fact that the (not before) at the Bridge Inn, Passage Cornubia has remained closed, particuarly as Street, Bristol; the Hare on the Hill, there was a high level of interest from various Kingsdown; the Inn on the Green, parties in taking on the pub and it appeared Horfield; and Off The Rails, Weston-super- to be common knowledge that there had been Mare. Please note that there is a maximum a successful bidder for the lease. Postal ticket applications (no personal of 10 tickets per application. The loss of one of these pubs would callers) with stamped, addressed envelope to: Tickets are strictly non-refundable. The have been a blow for Bristol, let alone for CAMRA c/o 7 Kellaway Court, Kellaway event sells out every year and we need to them both to disappear. We are left hoping Avenue, Golden Hill, Bristol, BS6 7YP. ensure that the tickets go to people who will for some positive news to come out of the Cheques should be payable to “Bristol & actually turn up! shambles that was the final collapse of District CAMRA”. Please ensure that you For information and updates on the beer Smiles, once a Bristol brewery that was held provide a contact email address or phone festival, as well as branch meetings and other in high esteem along with its award-winning number with your application in case of any activities, keep an eye on the branch web site pubs. queries. www.camrabristol.org.uk. Richard Brooks

2 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST CAMRA announces new Arbor Ales campaign to boost community is coming sadly many real communities in rural and urban areas are in danger of losing or have pubs BRISTOL is about to get a new brewery. Jon already lost their community pub. Comer is launching Arbor Ales in an outbuild- The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has “Community pubs, particularly those in ing behind the Old Tavern in Fishponds, which announced plans for a national week of action more remote rural areas, are often the hub of he’s hoping to get into in the first week of in February 2007 to help preserve and the lives of the local people. None of us want December. promote pubs that serve as an irreplaceable to be in a situation where the only way we It needs quite a bit of work so realistically asset to their local community yet are closing speak with our neighbours is through a car he’s looking at opening the brewery mid to late at a frightening rate. window or a stolen conversation at a super- January, with a first brew out in early CAMRA research in 2005 showed that 26 market many miles away. However an February. Jon has gone for a 2.5-barrel plant, pubs a month are lost in Britain. However, increasing number of these pubs are being so he’s keeping it a fairly small operation. early indications from further research suggests permanently lost.” Paul Comer, brother of Jon, is taking over that current figures may actually be much “The smoking ban in place or coming into the lease on the Old Tavern as a separate higher – and it is not theme pubs or chain bars force shortly in different parts of the UK venture. Although it isn’t directly part of the that are under threat but pubs at the heart of means pubs face a difficult time in 2007. brewery, he will be regularly stocking a couple the local community. People need to realise that their local is a of Arbor Ales’ beers along with other local The first ever Community Pubs Week will valuable asset that must be protected.” brews. take place from 17th February to 24th “We know people care about their Jon says he’ll probably launch with three February in order to raise the profile and communities as, in a terrific show of support, ales. There’s one definite beer planned, which importance of pubs in the community and four million people recently signed a petition is a dark best bitter he’s calling Old Knobbley. encourage people of all ages and backgrounds calling for the Government to do more to save He did a test brew at Westbury Ales a few to support this valuable community amenity. rural post offices. The threat to the commu- weeks back to see how the recipe scaled up CAMRA defines a community pub as a nity pub is extremely dire and unless we do and was quite pleased with the results. And it pub which appeals to a wide cross-section of something to curb the trend CAMRA fears seemed to sell well (under a Westbury Ales the local community rather than being pre- many communities will find their local pub pseudonym). dominantly targeted at particular social or age torn from them.” Jon has another ‘best’ that he’s tinkering groups. Throughout Community Pubs Week with at the moment to make it a ‘special’. If it CAMRA Chief Executive, Mike Benner CAMRA members across Britain will be keeps its character when he increases the said: “All soaps on TV and radio have asking local licensees to get involved with the gravity he reckons it should be a winner. community pubs – The Bull, The Rovers campaign and put on events and promotions For the third beer, Jon says it’s a toss-up Return, The Queen Vic, The Woolpack – but for people in their communities to enjoy. between a golden session ale and a traditional These will feature on IPA, though he might keep the IPA for an CAMRA’s website occasional brew though as it’s a strong beer at www.camra.org.uk/ 5.7%. communitypubsweek. Arbor Ales Ltd – Tel: 07823 335392 Promotional beer Email: [email protected] SP mats, posters and advice sheets from CAMRA will be WARNING available for pubs that From the Management of the wish to take part in HOPE & ANCHOR

the campaign from the Exceptional Public House

beginning of Decem- BEER SPILL ber 2006. Pub DON'T companies and breweries that wish to take part are asked to place a single order for promotional Dr John’s material to distribute centrally. Promotional material will be Poetry Corner available by contact- The CAMRA Community Pubs Week ing CAMRA on Next year to halt the trend doth seek 01727 867201 or by Of losing at a rate of knots emailing Our locals as our meeting spots cressida.feiler@ camra.org.uk. Pubs may be closing one a day So something clear we must all say Further details of If our local community events during Is without hostelries not to be Community Pubs Week should be Community pubs are for us all appear on our website Into whichever group we fall www.camrabristol.org/ And whether in town or in country uk in early 2007. Our watering hole may be Dr John National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 3 ...... PINTS WEST ...... Clevedon back in the Good Butcombe Beer Bible update TWO Clevedon pubs have made it into the BUTCOMBE are again brewing their Brunel latest edition of the beer drinker’s bible. The IPA, which has now become their winter Salthouse, on the seafront, and the Old Inn, seasonal beer. If you didn’t sample it first time in Walton Road, are both listed in the 2007 round then why not give it a try? At 5 per CAMRA Good Beer Guide. cent ABV, it is a genuine, well-balanced IPA. The guide praises both pubs for their welcoming feel, and although it is not the first time a Clevedon pub has appeared in the guide Minor changes have made more space available at the Queen Victoria in Priddy, one (the Little Harp, also on the seafront, was The Salthouse landlady Sue Ellis, second from left, of Butcombe’s recently-acquired pubs. This listed in 2001), the pair are the only pubs in with, from left, Leanna Biddle, Tia Steele and the town which feature this time around. will be very useful at busy times, particularly Dianna Neath –– seen posing with the keg fonts: the when local festivals are in full swing. Their Lesley Butler, landlady of the Old Inn, reason for their inclusion in the Good Beer Guide, amended opening hours for the winter are noon said: “I’m very pleased to be listed, particu- the three real ale pumps, are just a few feet to the to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 or 11.30 p.m. larly because this is my first pub. I was left. Photo courtesy of the Clevedon Mercury. Mondays to Fridays, and all day from noon on interested in putting on real ales and it’s Saturdays and Sundays. important to put on a good variety because not pub food is good value. The garden is also an many pubs do that.” added attraction.” Butcombe’s managing director, Guy The Old Inn has Courage Best and Old The entry for the Salthouse reads: “Large Newell, accepted an invitation from Bristol Speckled Hen as regulars and also offers two pub with views of the sea and historic pier. A guest ales, often changing twice a week, from a lovely round bar gives a relaxed ambience. CAMRA to attend their August branch meeting, when there was a good question-and- wide variety of West Country breweries. The Outside, a large patio overlooks the Salthouse answer session. All members of CAMRA have Good Beer Guide describes it as a “Delightful field and its miniature railway.” Manager, Sue old inn. One large beamed room that once Ellis, is also keen to support local breweries the opportunity to participate in informative occasions such as this, so why not come along served the carriage trade from Weston to with Sharp’s Doom Bar and Butcombe Gold to our meetings? Portishead. The current landlady’s great- as permanents and guest ales from the likes of Margaret Evett grandmother once ran the pub. A wonderful Newman’s and RCH. community feel is sometimes enhanced by Both pubs should be commended for using piano playing or other jollity. The two guest the SIBA scheme to support local breweries. beers are often adventurous or unusual. Tasty Pete Dommett News from b a t h a l e s To enjoy the full range of bath ales beers Bath Ales at their best, pay a visit to one of our pubs MUCH is happening at Bath Ales. As well as their owned pubs, and increasingly in the free trade, the beers are now available at the Eldon The Hop Pole House, a pleasant two-room free house just off the top of Jacobs Wells Upper Bristol Road, Bath (opposite Victoria Park playground) Road, off Clifton Triangle. Good food is served also. At the Swan at Swineford, the latest addition to Bath Ales pubs, The Hare on the Hill there are plans to improve and extend the car-parking arrangements Dove Street, Kingsdown, Bristol pending planning issues being resolved. At the brewery the award-winning 5% dark ale Festivity is now The Merchants Arms being brewed for the winter, and in the New Year a sixth fermenter will Merchants Road, Hotwells, Bristol be added at the brewery to increase brewing capacity, and conditioning tanks will also be installed for the first time. These will particularly be The Salamander handy when the brewery takes over the bottling of all of its beers with John Street, Bath the installation of a state-of-the-art bottling line. This is being made especially for Bath Ales in the Czech Republic and should be installed The Wellington early in 2007. Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol With the Christmas holidays approaching, Bath Ales have attractive offers for those looking to take beer home for Christmas: buy three 9- pint micro-casks of Gem for only £38! This offer is available through The Bridge Inn Bath Ales’ pubs and at the brewery shop at Tower Road North, Passage Street, Bristol Warmley. Also available will be bottled beers and 20-litre polypins. The shop is open from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and The Swan 9 a.m. to midday on Saturdays. It will also be open on the 23rd and 24th Bath Road, Swineford December – please ring for opening times. Casks and beer boxes available for parties and functions Organic Wild Hare is also currently on special offer to shoppers at Contact bath ales on 0117 9474797 or email [email protected] ASDA supermarkets. www.bathales.co.uk Phil Cummings 4 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST an eye on it to see if it reopens soon. Wadworth beers are as good as ever. Still in Brislington, the King’s Arms is They are also intending to offer all Pub News doing particularly well at the moment with CAMRA members (on production of a FIRSTLY, a correction and apology from me. Courage Best, Bath Gem and Bristol Beer membership card) a 10% discount on all real In the last issue of Pints West, I stated that the Factory Number 7 all regularly available, plus ales. There is also the germ of an idea to hold a Star in Pucklechurch had stopped selling Bass a guest. mini-beer festival sometime next Spring – drawn straight from the barrel. Hopelessly The White Hart near Bristol’s central bus something to look out for. wrong! I have been back several times in the station, first licenced in 1672, has undergone a SP last few months and on each occasion Bass has major redecoration. Landlady Rebecca Ellis been available and as good as ever. Ruddles still serves an excellent pint from the Greene TIME CALLED AT THREE TOWN PUBS County and Courage Best also available, plus King stable, including Abbot Ale, I.P.A., Old IT’S time at the bar for three more of Thatcher’s Cheddar Valley and Dry ciders. Speckled Hen and Ruddles County. Clevedon’s pubs as leases go up for sale and My apologies to everyone at the Star for this The Royal Oak in Clifton, near the landlords move on. mistake. Suspension Bridge, did, as suggested last issue, Campbell’s Landing, at The Beach; The The Huntsman in Downend has under- go ahead and put two barrels behind the bar for Crab Apple, in Southern Way; and the Bristol gone a major refurbishment. The old back bar gravity-dispensed ale. Courage Best, Bass and Inn, Chapel Hill, will all see changes in the cum function room has been knocked through a couple of ales from Sharp’s are available, next few weeks and months. to leave a large spruced-up single bar offering a though not all straight from the barrel. The lease at Campbell’s Landing is for sale carvery to go with your pint of Pedigree or The Pied Horse in St George is now and the Crab Apple, which celebrated its 25th Banks’s Bitter. offering three different traditional ciders. Two year of opening this year, is moving from a Also undergoing the make-over treatment from Thatcher’s and one from Taunton, as managed house to a leased pub, although the is the King George VI at Filton. As we went well as Courage Best and a guest ale. owners will remain Punch Taverns. New to press, this Enterprise Inn wasn’t quite In Redcliffe, the Ostrich is now offering landlords have recently arrived at the Bristol open, so we’d welcome your reports for the Bath Gem and Cottage Southern Glory Inn. next issue. alongside the usual Courage beers. Let’s hope the changes will mean more real Over in Hotwells, the Spring Gardens (also The Bank off the Bristol city centre, in ale in Clevedon now the town – what with the called Durty Nelly’s a while back) has now John Street (round the back of Horts) is now Salthouse and the Old Inn appearing in the reopened as a ‘bistro’ called La Demi Lune. doing well after a refurb just as we went to 2007 Good Beer Guide – is truly on the beer A change to the beers on offer at the Old press last time round. Bass, Courage Best and map! Post Office in Fishponds. Sadly on a recent Marston’s Pedigree have been spotted there. Pete Dommett visit the Wye Valley beers seemed to have Duncan Shine gone, with Courage Best and St Austell If you’re a landlord/lady or regular with some Tribute available when I popped in recently. THE Victoria in Chock Lane, Westbury-on- news about your pub, please feel free to email The Bee Hive in Henleaze has recently Trym has a newly completed bar refurbish- [email protected] or been offering Brakspear Bitter as well as ment. At long last the terribly claustrophobic [email protected] (we’ll share the Courage Best and Bass. and sixties-style canopy (the landlord’s info) and we’ll be glad to consider putting it Kevin Wright at Racks in Clifton has words, not mine - Ed) has been removed into the next issue of Pints West. added a monthly guest ale to his regular Bristol opening up the whole Beer Factory No 7. The guests will tend to pub and allowing their come from local breweries. brand new teak (from A new pub is opening in Yate. Just along sustainable wood, of the road from the Outdoor Sports Complex is course) back bar fitting a new building called the Fox. It was due to to be shown in its full open on November 27th so we’ll have more glory. It looks great news next issue. and nicely comple- Sadly, the Hollybush in Brislington is ments the traditional To sample perfectly kept Butcombe Bitter, Gold and Blond, currently closed and boarded up. We’ll keep feel of the Victoria. The plus numerous guest beers, why not visit a Butcombe pub… THE RED TILE THE OLD CROWN Cossington, near Bridgwater Kelston, near Bath 01278 722333 01225 423032 The Victoria RING O’BELLS THE SWAN Compton Martin (A368 between Blagdon Rowberrow (off A38 south of REAL ALE, REAL FOOD, REAL PUB & West Harptree) 01761 221284 Churchill) 01934 852371 Five beautifully kept real ales, including Wadworth 6X, THE PRINCE OF WALES THE BELL Stoke Lane, Westbury-on-Trym Hillgrove St, Bristol Butcombe and rotating seasonal guests. 0117 9623715 0117 9096612 Awarded 100% with Cask Marque for the past six years running! THE QUEEN’S ARMS THE LAMB Celtic Way, Bleadon, near The Square, Axbridge 10% discount on all real ales with a valid CAMRA Weston-super-Mare 01934 812080 01934 732253 membership card – making IPA only £1.94 a pint. THE WOOLPACK INN RING O’BELLS A great selection of home-cooked meals served daily. St George’s, near Weston- Upper Road, Hinton Blewitt super-Mare 01934 521670 01761 452239 Visit our website for events and menus THE QUEEN VICTORIA INN www.thevictoriapub.co.uk Pelting Drove, Priddy 01749 676385 The Victoria, Chock Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol GREAT BEER / GREAT FOOD / GREAT WINE / GREAT COMPANY Tel: 0117 - 9500 441 Fax: 0117 - 9502656 BUTCOMBE BREWERY 01934 863963 www.butcombe.com Email: [email protected] PRIDE IN EVERYTHING WE BREW National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 5 ...... PINTS WEST ......

commendations under his belt, the brewery has A Few Swift Rambles grown ten-fold. Last October, world-renowned beer writer Michael Jackson selected its honey ON an overnight trip to Dover, we checked good one – in the back garden, along with a beer (Buzzy Biddy) as beer of the month for out two excellent Good Beer Guide-listed range of adult-size games. Inside, there’s an his Rare Beer Club. Stephen Beaumont, one of pubs. The White Horse, just off the dual impressive museum of toys and games Canada’s top beer writers, recently selected carriageway leading to the docks, is one of the extending over two floors; there’s also a toy Red Biddy as his beer of the month. And, oldest pubs in town. Many surrounding shop next door. The ground floor, where the having visited the Biddy Early a few months buildings, including the 12th-century church serious business of eating and drinking takes ago, I can confirm that its beers can stand next door, were destroyed by bombing in the place, looks as though it hasn’t changed since comparison with anything produced this side Second World War, but the White Horse – the 1920s. There’s a superb range of beers, of the water. complete with legends of smugglers, tunnels to enormous helpings of home-cooked food, a But in Inagh itself, the locals – with one or the castle, and a hotch-potch of rooms on different game at every table, old posters on two exceptions – won’t touch it. We made two different levels – survived. Several of its walls the wall ... and one of the largest collection of visits earlier this year. On each occasion, the are covered with signatures of cross-channel plaster Christs you’re ever likely to see. bar was reasonably busy, but the drinks being swimmers, for whom this was the first port of Although my intake was limited to one downed were the usual mixture of Guinness, call after a quick photo-call on the beach. It’s (untypically weak) glass of beer, it was good Bulmer’s Cider (sold in England as Magner’s), very much a locals’ pub, although the beers to revisit one of the world’s most unusual Jameson’s and lager. Nobody was drinking any tend not to be. Timothy Taylor’s Landlord pubs. A quick trip to Ploegsteert to stock up of the four draught beers on offer. The and Ringwood Forty-Niner, both in tip-top at the excellent Vanuxeem supermarket and it landlord, who was more than happy to chat condition, are regulars; Pendle Witch’s Brew was back to Calais and the ferry home. about the brewery, explained that, despite from Moorhouse and Dark Star Original were attempts to convert the locals to real ale, giving the guests when we visited. There was also a away samples and extolling its merits, there barrel of local cider behind the bar. was an ingrained resistance to it. For real ale As no food was on offer, we left (some- drinkers from England, however, the Biddy what reluctantly) to find the second of our two Early is an oasis in a desert of Guinnessness. pubs. Blake’s of Dover is a one-off. From the And, should you find yourself in County street, it looks like a bistro-style restaurant – Clare, a pilgrimage is definitely recommended. which it what it is. Downstairs, however, is a More details on the brewery can be found cellar bar that just happens to be local JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES and imagine on their website, www.beb.ie. CAMRA Pub of the Year. After treating for a moment that CAMRA was never ourselves to a meal in the restaurant, which founded, that the keg revolution swept THE Clytha Arms, near Raglan in Gwent, has specialises in locally-caught fish, we headed all before it, and that, eventually, Brit- recently been voted South Wales Pub of the downstairs to check out the bar. As well as ain’s drinkers were faced with a choice Year. It’s been about four years since we four real ales – mostly from local micro- of less than half a dozen beers, all of visited the Clytha, but it’s good to see it still breweries such as Goacher’s, Ramsgate and which tasted much the same. ranks as one of the best pubs within an hour Hopdaemon – on draught, there was a and a half’s drive of Bristol. selection of 52 malt whiskies, plus a choice of Then go one step further. Imagine that an Like many superb pubs, it’s in the middle two cask ciders, including Thatcher’s from enterprising landlord, fed up with this state of of nowhere; unlike most of them, you can stay Somerset. This, apparently, is one of Blake’s affairs, decided to open a brewery to produce overnight. Although not cheap (a double room top sellers, and the landlord was amazed when cask-conditioned ales. And that you made a will set you back £80), it is very good value: I told him it was virtually unobtainable in Bath pilgrimage to this holy of holies, only to find breakfasts include not only black pudding but (see my report on cider in Bath elsewhere in that everybody else in the bar was drinking keg also laver bread and cockles, and, unless this issue). beer or Magner’s cider. they’ve changed their policy (due to my There is no keg beer on offer at Blake’s, Unthinkable? Of course – but it’s all too shameless taking advantage of the facilities), lager comes in a bottle, and Guinness has given easy, given CAMRA’s success over the past you get a complimentary tub of chocolate way to the superb Goacher’s Crown Imperial 30-odd years, to assume that the buoyant state biscuits in your room. Plus it’s set in the midst Stout from Ramsgate. Needless to say, after of real ale in England today was inevitable. In of glorious countryside and the beer – and the sampling the ales on offer and some unfamiliar reality, it was no such thing. It is the result of company – is great. malts – and joining the landlord in a (possibly hard lobbying; in the face of the unrelenting ill-advised) toast to Somerset cider – the walk onslaught of keg, real ale survived by the skin TALKING of real ale pubs with accommoda- back to our hotel took somewhat longer than of its teeth (if you’ll pardon the expression), tion, you may have heard of the Maltster’s the walk there. The good news is that Blake’s as the following cautionary tale from Ireland Arms in Tuckenhay. It was once owned by has accommodation upstairs. I know where demonstrates. Keith Floyd, the “flamboyant” TV chef. He we’ll be staying next time we have to spend a At first glance, there is little to distinguish even renamed it Floyd’s, but it’s ten years night in Dover. the Biddy Early pub in the village of Inagh, since he moved on, and it’s long been back to County Clare, from hundreds of others the Maltster’s Arms. The reason for our stop-over in Dover was throughout Ireland. A large and fairly modern Although we had some reservations about a business trip to Belgium which, being building, with a well-appointed restaurant, it staying in a pub once owned by KF, visions of Belgium, we decided to combine with pleasure doesn’t fit the stereotype of the Irish boozer, extortionate prices, poncey food and hooray – and a visit to a beer supermarket. Accord- with thatched roof and peat fire, doubling as henries in yachting caps were soon dispelled ingly, a late lunch was scheduled at one of the the local store. It’s very much a community when we turned up, after a hair-raising drive quirkiest pubs you’re likely to find anywhere. pub, though, well off the tourist trail, with down a maze of narrow lanes from Totnes just In a country stacked with great pubs, Het most of the customers being regulars. But, in time for lunch. Whatever else this was, it Labyrinth at Kemmel is outstanding. A despite all appearances to the contrary, the was clearly a proper pub, with four real ales nearby hill was the scene of some of the Biddy Early is unique. on offer, a plethora of old pump clips behind bitterest fighting in the Great War; today the In 1995, Dr Peadar Garvey, an industrial the bar and a couple of local ciders. village, its houses clustered round a green, chemist, who happened to own the Biddy Princetown IPA is the regular tipple; on looks as though it could have been trans- Early, decided to call time on mass-produced this occasion it was joined by Cain’s planted from Kent. The pub’s called the beers and start up his own brewery. Over a Sundowner, Exmoor Gold and Black Sheep. Labyrinth because there’s a maze – a very decade later, and with a raft of awards and The two ciders, from Heron Valley at 6 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST Discovering Cheddar

famous for the quality of its repartee. After said birthday celebrations, enlivened Ales by a couple of (smallish) glasses of Heck’s Cider, we wended our way homeward via the A November afternoon visit to a friend’s Royal Oak, always to be relied upon to have house for birthday celebrations entailed something new on offer. On this occasion, it walking through the centre of Bath – an was, as luck would have it, another beer from activity that is invariably made more pleasant Cheddar Ales – Potholer (4.3%ABV), a fine The Maltster’s Arms in Tuckenhay by the inclusion of an esteemed hostelry in the golden ale, maltier and sweeter than the Best Loddiswell, were Ruddy Turnstone and Yarde. itinerary. Bitter, yet just as drinkable. Devonshire cider, as far as I’m concerned, In this case, the establishment selected was Cheddar Ales, with a 20-barrel plant takes some beating, and these two organic the Old Green Tree. It was a fortuitous visit, rescued from a village near Dublin where it had offerings were among the best I’ve tasted. for a new beer from a new brewery had gone lain for six years after the failure of a project to The setting of the Maltser’s Arms is on that very afternoon. I’d been wanting to try establish a brewery there, looks set to be a unbeatable too – on a tidal creek which at low beer from Cheddar Ales ever since I heard the major player in the local brewing industry. It tide dwindles to a glistening expanse of mud, brewery was starting up, and here was my was established by Jem Ham, who spent 15 but at high tide not only accommodates chance. years as a brewer at Butcombe. It’s not too pleasure cruisers out for the evening from Cheddar Best Bitter (4% ABV) lived up surprising, perhaps, given Jem’s background, Dartmouth, but also floods the car park. A to its name (the bitter part of it that is – I’d that the beers are reminiscent of Butcombe’s; two-mile stroll from the pub will bring you to like to make it quite clear there was absolutely not too surprising, either, that their quality is Sharpham Vineyard, where, for £3.95, you can no hint of cheese, Cheddar or otherwise, in top notch. That said, Best Bitter and Potholer wander round the estate, set on one of the either nose, palate or finish). Its tartness, – the first two beers from the new brewery – most attractive peninsulas in South Devon, backed with a strong hint of citrus, was certainly don’t taste like Butcombe clones. before sampling a selection of wines. balanced by a fine malty substratum, making They have their own distinctive character, and Like the Clytha, staying at the Maltster’s this gold-coloured beer a very satisfying one I look forward to seeing developed as the isn’t cheap, but for a special break with good tipple. The pump clip, plain but elegant, bore brewery gets established and starts producing food, in a superb location, and in a great local the legend “simply gorgeous.” When I pointed seasonal brews. boozer, it is certainly recommended. And there this out to the barman and commented that it For more information, or to place an order, is a 10% discount on accommodation for was rather unusual, he informed me that it phone Cheddar Ales on 01934 744193 or email CAMRA members. referred to the bar staff. Just the sort of [email protected]. Andrew Swift comment that’s made the Old Green Tree Andrew Swift

Archers Award-Winning Cask-Conditioned Ales Deliveries weekly to the Bristol area For details of our full range including: Archers Golden 4.7% International Brewing Awards Bronze 2005 Archers Dark Mild 3.6% International Brewing Awards Bronze 2005 Archers Crystal Clear 5.0% SIBA Southwest Gold 2006 Archers I.P.A. 4.2% SIBA Southwest Champion Beer 2006 Contact our local representative Les Stroud on 07837 031075 www.archersbrewery.co.uk

National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 7 ...... PINTS WEST ...... Gold was my favourite festival beer, made solely from hops of the same name. Also on Tea in the Garden offer was Badger’s Fursty Ferret, Bath Ales from Brislington, and it Gem and Wild Hare, Butcombe Bitter, took a while to find it, Wickwar BOB, and Hogs Back TEA with as it’s down a small Weston’s Bounds Brand Scrumpy and drive between the Herefordshire Country Perry and Thatcher’s houses in Wyndham Draught Cider. The food was great too. Crescent. Once A successful weekend mini-festival through, it opens into a enjoyed by all, and offering potential as a new rough track that winds, real ale venue. Our thanks to Phil and his staff bounces and scrapes for a warm welcome and we wish him every between the trees on success for the future. the steep valley side Colin & Pennie Postlethwaite (Pennie nearly bailed out at this point) and then we reached the grass car park. Beeses has been under new ownership for the last few months, and they are keen to always have at least one real ale on during ON a mid-October Sunday afternoon, what the winter months, when they will be open better way to spend your time than taking Fridays to Sundays. Phil Leahy, one of the your afternoon tea sitting in the garden – in owners, told us he hopes to have several mini- this case a pint of Hogs Back T.E.A. (Tradi- beer festivals during the year. tional English Ale) at the Beeses Tea Gar- The festival itself was laid out in the dens beer festival. garden alongside the river bank, with a beer Brewers of Beeses Tea Gardens is situated in tent covering the stillage where seven ales, two Award Winning Ales Brislington on the edge of the river Avon in a ciders and a perry were set up, and another small wooded valley and can be reached by tent covering the barbecue. There was a Wye Valley Brewery Limited river boat from the city docks during the musician in the function room, playing 60’s Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire HR7 4HG summer. The Conham Ferry brings people songs on an electric guitar, who was kept well T: 01885 490505 from the river park opposite (there is a car oiled as pints were passed through the open E:[email protected] park there) and runs most of the year except window to the stage. The beers were from www.wyevalleybrewery.co.uk when the Avon is in flood. We arrived by car local(ish) breweries and Badger Ales First Enjoy a Warm Welcome and a Pleasant Atmosphere The Annexe Inn Seymour Road, Bishopston, Bristol Tel. 0117 9493931 A Real Ale Pub ! 6 Real Ales ! Large conservatory (available for private hire) ! Family room (including baby changing facilities) ! Enclosed garden open throughout the year ! Disabled access ! Lunchtime and early evening snacks - including children’s menu - ! Pool table ! All TV sports events covered ! Relaxed, friendly atmosphere

Monday Night is Quiz Night You can also enjoy various promotions and special offers during the year Open Lunchtimes & Evenings All day Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays

8 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST Top packaging award for Wye The Landmark Valley Brewery Sunwest Festival st “COME DOWN AND STAY,” the handwrit- TO mark its 21 anniversary this year, Wye ten note on the back of the Landmark Sunwest Valley Brewery restyled its corporate and Festival flyer suggested. Our friends, new brand logos to present a new unified image to residents in Ilfracombe, knew we enjoyed the the consumer – and the design has just won a beer festivals in Bristol, Chippenham, Devizes top national award. and London most years, so this was a good The Stoke Lacy-based brewery won the opportunity to catch up with our old ex-pat award for the Best Packaging Initiative at the Bristolian mates. Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) ‘Local Saturday afternoon, en route to a hilltop Brewing Business Awards’ in London, with barbecue (at another ex-Bristolian’s summer chairman, Peter Amor collecting the award. residence), we lunched on baguettes oozing with fillings (£5.95) at the Manor in Croyde. My accompanying Thatcher’s Gold on little gem of information to be found on the draught washed it down very well. Andy’s St revamped back labels of the Wye Valley range. Austell Tribute was the usual high standard The judges said of the new designs: ‘A from that brewery. At the party I found a well-executed, comprehensive and coordinated bottle of splendid Cotleigh Golden Eagle and approach. In particular, Wye Valley succeeded was astonished to see how quickly I needed in achieving the difficult task of contemporis- another. Time for the beer festival….. ing traditional imagery’. Disappointment probably showed when Said Vernon Amor, Managing Director, we arrived at the Landmark Theatre, venue for “Coming up with new designs to complement the festival. This wasn’t a CAMRA festival, the natural and traditional art of brewing, and the usual array of casks seemed shrunken Peter Amor (left) receives the award whilst reflecting the modern appeal of real ale somewhat. Nevertheless, there were 38 from SIBA chairman Keith Bott to each new generation, was a huge challenge, different ales and ciders, most costing £2.30 a and to have our efforts recognised as the very The entire range of Wye Valley brands – pint, helpful staff who let hesitant friends try best in their field is an outstanding achieve- Wye Valley Bitter, HPA, Butty Bach and samples, and some interesting brews to try. ment.” Dorothy Goodbody Golden Ale – from pump Chris Franks of Combe Martin had supplied it The new look labels have certainly caught clips to bottle labels, was redesigned to achieve all. He told me that the August festival started the attention of the consumer, with the a sharper, yet traditional image for the award- a couple of years ago with just nine casks and Labologists Society, the international society winning beers. The judges were especially has grown so that perhaps CAMRA will be for label collectors, awarding Wye Valley two impressed with the innovative idea of using involved in the future – he will provide tasting Gold Medals: for ‘Two Swans’, the beer back labels to match an individual beer with an notes also. appropriate food. Did you know, for example, celebrating 60 years of the Wetlands Trust, in Andy started with Sarah Hughes ‘Dark that a glass of Dorothy Goodbody Christmas the commemorative label category; and in the Ruby Mild’ (6%), an old favourite. I chose set of labels category the Dorothy Goodbody Ale, a strong, rich ruby ale, is the perfect ‘Old Appledore’ – a good, light starter at complement to Christmas pudding? Just one range won the top award. 3.7% from the Country Life Brewery, near Bideford – described as a bitter session beer. Drinking outside with the seaside town as backdrop and the bluesy harmonica of the Seasonal Flavours with band Spoonful playing inside ensured we were in for a good night. Hidden Depths Hidden Potential is one such recent award- My next choice was ‘Church House’ from winner, having been voted Beer of the Festival Exe Valley (4.1%), another pleasant drink. THE award-winning Hidden Brewery has at the recent Bath Beer Festival. At 4.2%, This I followed with Country Life Brewery’s launched a seasonal real ale for 2006. Hidden Hidden Potential is described as a clean tasting, ‘Country Bumpkin’. I like dark beers, and this Depths is a very deep ruby stout, its autumnal well-rounded, traditional beer with slight citrus 6% dark and slightly sweet beer I could have tones coming naturally from roasted barley and tones and a balanced malty flavour. downed by the jugful. My last beer (four of us chocolate malt. Gary Lumber, Hidden’s The brewery is indeed ‘hidden’ in the heart had got through seven bottles of wine ‘chez brewer, says “Hidden Depths is an aromatic of the Wiltshire countryside, its intriguing amis’ the previous night) was RCH ‘Old Slug stout with a hint of liquorish, which is rich in name reflected in the mysterious ‘eyes’ on its Porter’ – another dark, tasty drink (4.5%). colour and perfect for drinking in warm cosy pump clips and its range of ‘Hidden’ ales such A short walk to Maddy’s Chippy and our pubs as the days get colder”. as its first brew Hidden Quest and the more little group found nourishment in bags of The Hidden Brewery is barely three years recent Hidden Pleasure and Hidden Depths. chips. The sound of the waves lapped against old but growth has been rapid and Gary Launching Hidden Depths, Gary explains: the shore as we sauntered along the front. (formerly Head Brewer at Oakhill) and his “We pride ourselves on brewing premium real Most Bristolians can remember day trips business partner Michael Woodhouse now ale, using traditional brewing techniques and to the Devon coast. My parents’ generation supply over 800 pubs and clubs in the South quality ingredients. We’ve had a great response honeymooned in Ilfracombe (a colleague and South West. They recently took delivery to Hidden Depths at our pub, the Bell Inn at claimed she was conceived there!). I was of new nine-gallon casks (known as firkins or Wylye, and we look forward to rolling it out to pleased to find that, apart from the festival nines) that will double the brewery’s cask pubs and clubs in the region as the days draw venue appearing like Didcot Power Station-on- population to 4,000. Four core beer recipes in.” Sea, the little town is unchanged. It appears are brewed and a further four or five are So whilst few may know where the much loved and cared for, with the added created seasonally for the guest ales market. Hidden Brewery brews its ales, many will find delight of alfresco cappuccino available in the Several have picked up awards from CAMRA them at the bar this winter! 21st century. and SIBA competitions. Lesly Huxley Maggie Wilkes National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 9 ...... PINTS WEST ...... The day we Royal Oak closes BAD NEWS: Royal Oak closes. the occasion, and had Butcombe GOOD NEWS: only for one night and in a good came up with Love cause! Story (4.3%). It Since John and Becky Whinnerah took over seems that it was a at the airport the Royal Oak in Bath, the pub has become a love story with the second home for many regulars. So if any turned party-goers for the MANY of us have long bemoaned the lack of up on the evening of 5th October to find it nine gallons ran out long before the evening was any real ale, or anything else very tempting, to closed to the general public, they can rest assured over. drink in the departure lounge at Bristol Airport. this is not something that is likely to be Such a good time was being had by all that, We were therefore pleased to notice that a repeated. try as we might, we can’t remember the other Butcombe Bitter handpump had appeared in one John is very strict about keeping the pub beers, but everyone seems to have thought it was of the bars sometime earlier this year. However, open, and even when we launched our book The a splendid selection. The bands were great and all was still not well as every attempt to buy Lost Pubs of Bath there, he was adamant that thanks go to Skiffle Haze, Cavalier, Bill Smarme some was thwarted by being told that it was not the bar ran as normal. So when Andrew and I and the Bizness as well as the guest musicians available. On one occasion I was told “sorry the were looking for somewhere to have a party to who then took the mike. Phill the Pint added barrel needs changing” so I said I would wait only celebrate our wedding, we regretfully ruled out some more to his new beer tally, the food kept the Royal Oak. We were discussing plans over a coming, including some retro canapés to go with to be informed “Oh it will be next week before pint out there, and explained to John we would Skiffle Haze and Bill Smarme, guests were we change it!” Your editor tried on many have loved to have it there, but we fully realised greeted by Martin the Pumper (and it’s spa occasions too and was once told “We don’t like how he felt – and were delighted when he said water, not beer, that he pumps) in a splendid to put it on because it keeps going sour!” that on this one occasion, he would bend the 18th century costume, while Dutch Maarten was I had pretty much come to the conclusion rules. Having done so, he then threw himself a kindly bouncer (whose bouncing skills were, that the pump was actually an ornament and just into the organisation, and assembled a fine thankfully, not tested). for show, until the morning of 11 September selection of beers for the party, while Mick, the On a serious note, the more attentive among 2006 when we asked again and it was ON ! chef, went off to plan some interesting canapés. Pints West readers will have noticed that none Despite it being 6 a.m. it just had to be tried. Among the beers was Dr Hexter’s Wedding of the beers mentioned hit 5%. We felt that we We were delighted that it seemed in very good Ale (4.1%), from West Berkshire Brewery, wanted beers that people could drink happily, condition too. Pressed Rat & Warthog from Triple fff (3.8%), and that a high ABV was not necessary even for Ben Nevis 80/- (4.0%) from Bridge of Allen and the hardest beer-drinker – and so it proved. Perhaps readers would care to let us know if Pardoe’s Rowley Rag (4.9%) from Olde Swan. I Flavour, it seems, has little to do with the they have ever found it available too? Rumour was sad that one of my favourite beers, Village alcohol content, and a great deal to do with has it that it may soon be replaced by the new Elder from Cheriton, is now no longer available, thoughtful, skilful brewing. cold-filtered Blond which would be a shame, if but the excellent Downton Brewery has risen to Our particular thanks for this enjoyable perhaps understandable given the apparent the challenge of filling the gap with Elder Quad evening go to the Whinnerahs, and once again, indifference of the people who run the airport (3.9%). Meanwhile our friends at Blindman’s we apologise to any regulars who couldn’t get in. It won’t happen again! bars. Vince Murray had gone off to create a special session beer for Kirsten Elliott

THE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE CHAMPION BEER OF BRITAIN 2003 Sedum and reap SUFFOLK brewer Adnams has gone underground. For the company’s GOLD MEDAL WINNER new distribution centre at Reydon, just outside its home town of Southwold, has been roofed with turf planted with sedum in one of the most environmentally-friendly industrial developments in history. The turf roof, which covers more than an acre, helps the new building blend in with the surrounding countryside. It’s also an insulator that maintains an even temperature all year round at very low cost in energy; it’s a habitat for wildlife on the 85 acres of old gravel pits that Adnams bought 10 years ago; it helps filter pollutants out of the air, and it recycles rainwater for washing lorries and flushing loos. But there’s more than just a green roof to the centre, which opened in September. The walls are built of 90,000 blocks of locally-grown hemp and Derbyshire lime; the roof is supported on 65-metre glued and laminated beams of sustainably-sourced timber; and the parking areas are paved with golpla, or reinforced grass. It adds up to an unprecedented level of energy, carbon dioxide and water efficiency that has been achieved without compromising business efficiency. And it will cut traffic in Southwold by 60 lorry and 20 van deliveries a day. Adnams Managing Direcctor Andy Wood said: “Adnams evaluates all areas of the business to find ways of lessening its impact on the environment. When the growing business required a new, modern distribution centre, Adnams applied this philosophy to ensure that we took every measure possible to create a pioneering, environmentally conscious development. “The environmental option came at a premium, but it is a sustain- able investment for the future. As energy prices soar this building will make us substantial savings. “I believe that Adnams is shaping the path for other businesses to ADNAMS BROADSIDE. BEER FROM THE COAST. follow”. (Article from What’s Brewing) 10 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST Celebrating with Matthews THURSDAY 8th November and it was off to there was a display, with explanatory notes, of Timsbury to join in celebrations marking the the different malts and hops used in the first anniversary of Matthews Brewery. brewery. Malt comes from Warminster, while Driving into the industrial estate where the hops are supplied by Charles Faram & Co brewery is situated, we passed a car contain- from Herefordshire. Stuart was also on hand to ing, among others, Phill the Pint, who’s explain about the brewing process and written some sterling stiff about Matthews in equipment. the past and was due to do the honours once The five ales on offer at the celebrations again. Winding the back window down, were each accompanied by nibbles to comple- however, he called across asking if I wouldn’t ment each beer style. Stuart had teamed up mind covering the celebrations instead. A with Yummy Foods of Bath to give an idea second voice added that this would be a very how different beers can be used to enhance a good idea, as the aforementioned Mr the Pint range of different foods: had participated so wholeheartedly in the ! Brassknocker, excellent with spicy foods festivities he couldn’t remember anything and curry, was accompanied by Creamy about them. Chicken Tikka. ! Bob Wall, ideal for meat dishes, was accompanied by sausages made by the Apple Tree at Croscombe (an excellent country boozer) and flavoured with Bob Wall beer. ! Birthday Ginger, excellent with Thai food, was accompanied by spicy coriander prawn crostini. ! 40 Yard was accompanied by pan-fried Birthday Ginger with spicy Aberdeen Angus Steak produced on the farm coriander prawn crostini next door. Spent mash from the brewery is you’re in for a treat. Trying five of them at the used to feed the cattle: they like it so much it’s same time brought home how varied – and how used as bait to move them from one field to consistently good – their beers are. And with another! the promise of lots more seasonal brews to ! Pit Pony was accompanied by a superb dark come, there’s lots to look forward to. Myself, bread made with Pit Pony and Cheddar cheese I can’t wait to try the one with pine needles in. from Greens near Glastonbury. Happy Christmas ... oh, and cheers, Phill – it The chance to sample a superb range of was a great evening. locally-produced food, as well as a superb Andrew Swift range of beers, made the celebrations a truly memorable occasion, and demonstrated that Matthews, who also supply direct to the public, Stuart’s desire to push back boundaries can be contacted on 01761 472242 or by doesn’t stop at brewing beer: he’s also keen to emailing [email protected]. Stuart Matthews checks the specific gravity change the way people perceive and drink it as Details of the SIBA Direct Delivery Scheme can Wandering into the brewery, it was well. Serving different beers with different be found at www.siba.co.uk/dds/. Yummy Food immediately apparent that, if I was to carry types of food is part of the culture in Belgium; can be contacted at www.yummyfood.co.uk. away intelligent memories of the evening, I with people like Stuart on the case, it may well would have to keep a tight rein on myself. soon be second nature here as well. Matthews may only have been going for a Stuart Matthews and Susan Appleby set year, but they’ve produced some damn fine up the five-barrel plant on the site of the old Exeter Festival beers in that time. Sampling them together also Hayeswood Colliery (hence the preponderance brought it home how adventurous Stuart of colliery-related beer names) last October. of Winter Ales Matthews has been in his brewing policy. Stuart, a former software engineer who had Matthews’ two regular beers are been a hobby-brewer for almost as long as he The CAMRA Festival of Winter Ales will Brassknocker (3.8% ABV), a golden, citrus- can remember, was thinking of a change of once again be held in the Coaver Club, flavour session beer, and Bob Wall (4.2%), a career when a friend told him about an empty Matford Lane, Exeter (behind County chestnut-coloured best bitter. Seasonal ales, to industrial unit at Timsbury, and the rest, as Hall) on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th date, have included Pit Pony (5.5%), a dry, they say, is history. January 2007. full-bodied stout; 40 Yard (5%), a strong bitter Twelve months on, Matthews beers can be The festival will open from 6pm to 11pm brewed with mild ale malt; Davy Lamp (5%), a found in over 40 local pubs and clubs, mostly Friday and 11am to 11pm Saturday. There will wheat beer flavoured with coriander and orange in Bath, Bristol and the Mendips, but also as be over 50 winter-only brews and ‘Festive zest; and Midsomer Pale (4.5%), an amber- far afield as Hampshire. Direct delivery can be Cyder’. Other attractions will include a coloured pale ale. For the anniversary celebra- arranged anywhere within a 50-mile radius, and tombola and products stand, and entertainment tions, there was a new addition to the range – the brewery also works with wholesalers who on Saturday evening. Birthday Ginger (4.8%), a pale ale flavoured distribute more widely across the UK. In June, Admission is £3 for CAMRA members with root ginger. Stuart admitted that he’d the brewery registered with SIBA’s Direct and £4 for non-members, the price including a originally wanted to include lime as well, but Delivery Scheme, which allows pubs from commemorative glass sponsored by found, after he’d brewed a trial batch, that the some of the bigger pub companies to have O’Hanlon’s Brewing Company. flavour was too overpowering. Never content access to beer from local producers. Plans for Check the East Devon & Exeter CAMRA to follow in other’s footsteps, he’s currently the next twelve months, apart from expanding website at www.projects.ex.ac.uk/eedcamra/ working on a seasonal brew for Christmas, the local customer base and brewing more fest/fowa for more details. Further information subtly flavoured with pine needles. seasonal specials, include introducing bottled can also be had from Phil Roberts on 01884 Half-pint glasses and tasting notes, beer beers. 33115 (home) or by emailing him at festival style, were available at the door, and If you’ve not tried Matthews beers, then [email protected]. National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 11 ...... PINTS WEST ...... Shine on Keynsham Every issue we ask Pints West readers and clears his throat. to let us know if there is a part of Bristol “Actually, you’re wrong there Michael. (& District) that you would like to see There are a dozen or so pubs in Keynsham, featured in this column. Then, when no- many of them well worth a visit”. one writes in, we decide for ourselves. The first pub you visit is the Crown. It is This issue, we’re having a look at a pretty one-bar pub opposite the local Keynsham. football club on the Bristol Road. In the Full details of all the pubs mentioned can be summer the family garden to the rear is lovely. found on the www.britishpubguide.com The pub is welcoming and friendly. Courage web site. Landlords and regulars in these Best is the only real ale on offer, so Michael The Lock Keeper pubs are welcome to update the informa- Palin throws a hissy fit and you soon have to tion on the website whenever they like. move on. the road to Bitton will be treacherous”. You leave Attenborough behind and head PICTURE THE SCENE. You’re doing a little on to the Lock Keeper. A former Smiles pub bit of shopping just off the Bath Road in now in the hands of Young’s brewery, this Brislington, looking for a few Christmas pub is in a fantastic location by the lock, with presents for friends and family. You’ve a suntrap conservatory area. The entire range decided to really make an effort this year as of Young’s beers is on offer. The Waggledance very few of them appreciated the bag of is simply divine, and Michael is much happier charcoal you gave them last year, except because he got to film a hilarious sing-song possibly your three-year-old nephew who with a local rugby team. Young’s Bitter, thought it was far tastier than the Werthers Special and a seasonal beer are also available, Originals his Grandad bought him. and all in typically good nick. While you’re browsing, who should you bump into but former Python funnyman and Traveller Extraordinaire Michael Palin. Just as The Pioneer you start to say how much you liked Ripping Yarns, he turns and lets fly a terrible tirade of Next you head into Keynsham and turn expletives. Now, Michael Palin is officially left down Station Road. The Pioneer is on the nicest man in the world so you feel obliged your left, overlooking the bypass. Very much to ask why. geared towards watching English teams lose at “BBC cutbacks! That’s why. After all I’ve sport, the Pioneer does not currently appear to done for them. I’ve been Pole to Pole, Full offer any real ale. Circle, done Sahara and the Hemingway Adventure. And now they tell me they need to save up for Bruce Forsyth’s expenses (including a large quantity of glue) on Strictly The Old Bank Come Dancing, so the next travel series will have to be a little less expensive.” From the Lock Keeper it’s back to the You try to comfort him, but he’s really High Street and the Old Bank. On your visit, cross. there are old pictures on the walls, barrels “So, I’ve got to film a major ten-part doubling as tables and Judith Chalmers sat in series, with a book and video to go with it, and the corner filming Wish You Were In we start shooting tomorrow. I just don’t see Keynsham? “Keynsham, that’s K-E-Y…” she how Michael Palin’s Keynsham Odyssey is begins and Michael Palin furrows his brow in going to be a hit. You can’t talk about that contempt. He is cheered, as is the whole pools advert for ten weeks, and there aren’t party, by the choice of beers: Sharp’s Doom The Brass Mills even any decent pubs!” Bar and the excellent but less common Atlantic At this point, a shambling, slightly jaded Further down the road, past the station, is I.P.A., as well as Bath Gem and Bath Spa. looking figure is sat doing a Sudoku puzzle. He the Brass Mills. A Brewer’s Fayre pub, the The cellarmanship in this pub is excellent and doesn’t clear his throat. You nudge him a Brass Mills nonetheless offers a good choice of all agree to recommend it to their friends. couple of times, and he looks up, apologises real ales by the river. You have the Flowers Just across the road is Bar One Nine. Original, your guide the Butcombe Bitter and You pop in to find a camera crew already Michael Palin is just tucking into an excellent ahead of you to film Michael Palin’s entrance. pint of Wadworth 6X when he launches into You ask him how they knew he was going another four-letter invective. there and he just shrugs and says it is the This time, you can tell why he’s so cross. magic of television. Bar One Nine is an In the family play area, moving quietly upmarket café bar, but sensibly offers a real ale through the ball-pit dressed in khaki, is Sir as well. It’s London Pride from Fuller’s and David Attenborough who, after Life on Earth very nice too. and Life In The Freezer, is now busy filming A detour off the High Street takes you Life Between Bristol and Bath. He whispers. down to Bath Hill East and the New Inn. “Here, among the ancient ball-pits of Michael is keen to try a disgusting and unusual Keynsham, we see the eternal struggle of a local delicacy so everyone can be impressed by mother and her young. Bradley has lost one of how brave he is to eat it. He is offered a pack his socks and Hallie has been sick on the slide. of pork scratchings but it’s not quite the same. The Crown Inn And the journey back to their new house on Bass and Butcombe Bitter are in here though, 12 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST

The New Inn The Ship Inn The Wingrove and again excellent quality. available. On the day of your visit there’s a fifteen-minute walk but Michael just winks Just along the Bath Road is the Talbot. Marston’s Bitter and Pedigree, Banks’s Bitter, at you, and holds a board saying “Fifteen Michael is keen to go in until he sees Bill Bath Gem and a splendid pint of Bomber. Minutes Later” in front of the camera. As he Oddie stalking across the car park in camou- This is another lovely old pub on the hillside. takes the board down again, you find you are flage filming a segment for Keynshamwatch. You step down from the street and it’s just the in the Charlton, an estate pub built in a 50s/ He’s worried that Autumn has arrived late this sort of place you could easily while away a 60s style and with a genuine community feel. year and so the Christmas Light harvest may winter’s evening. You knock back a pint of Courage Best before be poor. The beers in the Talbot are from the “Two more to go” says your guide. another quick dash through residential streets Scottish Courage stable. “These two pubs are not pubs you would find to the Wingrove on the Queen’s Road. Another estate pub, the Wingrove has a small front bar and a much larger rear drinking area where the pool table, darts and telly are. The real ale is Courage Best but you and Michael are drawn to the Thatcher’s Tradi- tional Cider. It is so good you opt for another. The next thing you know you are waking up on a dirty smelly barge, your head thump- ing. Michael is sat at the stern talking to a man with his hand on the rudder. The man is saying “Yes, Michael, that’s right, just up here. First Saltford, then Kamchatka.” We have been asked to point out that none of Michael Palin, Sir David Attenborough, The Talbot The Charlton Judith Chalmers or Bill Oddie has any plans to Back towards the High Street and left into by accident”. The Charlton is out on film in Keynsham. Ms Chalmers would, Temple Street. Here, on the right, is the Longmeadow Road, about a fifteen-minute however, be prepared to consider Willsbridge estimable Trout Tavern. The atmosphere walk away. You explain that you don’t fancy if the money was right. inside could only be described as rumbustuous. Duncan Shine Michael wants to call it an indigenous Somer- set watering hole but Caroline behind the bar objects. Worthington Cask Ale and Marston’s Pedigree are supplemented by a stunning pint Good new from East Bristol of Thatcher’s Traditional. THINGS are looking up for those of us who A pub that I had deliberately avoided since To be honest, Michael Palin is starting to live on the east side of Bristol. The tremen- it opened a couple of years ago is the Willy get a little tipsy by now. He says that Fawlty dous beer range now being offered at the Cross Wicket on the Downend and Emersons Green Towers was his idea and he did most of the Hands in Fishponds, was featured in an earlier border, adjacent to the A4174 ring-road colouring in for Terry Gilliam’s drawings. Pints West, but there is more good news. roundabout. I avoided it because I expected it Next stop is the Ship, also on Temple A chance visit to the Red Lion in Staple to be just another giant eating place selling a Street. The name confuses Michael and, while Hill a few months back helped me to discover poor range of national-brand beers, in the he spends half an hour at the bar trying to buy an excellent pub within walking distance of my Beefeater / Chef & Brewer way. A family meal a third-class passage to Kamchatka, you and home. This is a Wadworth pub that has been there changed my opinion rapidly and I have your guide sample the wide range of ales run by a succession of licensees in the last few now been back a few times. It is indeed a very years, but has now fallen into good hands. A food-oriented pub, but it also dispenses couple from Nottingham who obviously care surprisingly good beer too. On my first visit about their beer are in charge and I have Bass and 6X were in good form, but on my enjoyed quite a few visits recently. It is a recent visit these had been replaced by St. proper two-bar pub with a comfortable lounge Austell Tribute and Butcombe Bitter – both in and larger public bar. A full-size skittle alley, top form. In addition they sell draught pool table and beer garden also feature. There Erdinger (German cloudy wheat beer) at a are always two beers from Wadworth and one reasonable £2.90 per pint – it is well over £3 or two guest beers on; on my first few visits usually. The food is reasonably priced and of a they were from Castlerock brewery in good standard, and service is very friendly. Nottingham, but currently are from the rather Despite its size, the pub does not accept less exciting Wolverhampton & Dudley reservations, but food is served all day every portfolio. Quality has been consistently good day. For the record, a Willy Wicket is a type and a friendly welcome can also be anticipated. of wading bird. The Trout Tavern Vince Murray National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 13 ...... PINTS WEST ...... News from Bath ANOTHER time-worn old boozer reopens, after an extensive face-lift (i.e. gutting) as a gastro- pub. No change there then. Well, actually, yes. The Marlborough Tavern, an old Courage pub, had been struggling along for years, and, with the best will in the world, successive tenants found it impossible to turn its fortunes round. Faced with sky-high rents, and saddled with a pub that had had its guts ripped out of it in the 1960s, it was not surprising that the Marlborough failed to become what it should have been – a lively community pub.

Paulteney Arms Farmhouse. He held the unique distinction – at Marlborough Tavern least in Bath – of appearing on his own pub sign. The only thing to do was to start all over Brad started off – in 1960 – at the Bell in again, and that’s what the new owners have Walcot Street. He was 29, and soon established it done. The place was totally gutted before being Garricks Head as the city’s top jazz venue. The tradition of sympathetically refitted. Although there’s still a live music at the Bell still continues under the bar, and it still looks like a pub, what it doesn’t places in the city where Somerset’s traditional able stewardship of Ian Wood, and, with the look like is a pub the brewery got at in the drink can be sampled. closure of the Farmhouse, it is now Bath’s 1960s. As well as the sofas, candles, wine and premier music pub, although jazz only forms food sourced from local producers, there’s also Also new to the Good Beer Guide this year is part of its rich and eclectic programme. Brad left real ale. So far, there are only two pumps on, the Raven (formerly Hatchett’s), the local the Bell in 1976 to take over the Farmhouse, serving Courage and Wadworth 6X. That may CAMRA branch pub of the year. The two house then a traditional three-bar local, run by not sound too exciting, but I had a chat with the beers, Raven and Raven Gold, brewed by the Dorothy Moore for the previous 39 years. Built landlord and soon realised that he was committed estimable Blindman’s Brewery, are supplemented in the late nineteenth century on the site of an to serving good beer. He was also realistic about by a constantly-changing selection of at least old farmhouse which also served beer, it did not how much he was likely to sell – hence the two four other real ales. receive a full licence until 1957. A pub guide pumps policy. Not only that: coming from a published shortly before Brad took over gives an wine-bar background, he was determined that Not yet in the Good Beer Guide, but going idea what it was like: ‘Cockles (22p a jar), cackle serving real ale should not just be a token from strength to strength, is the Pulteney and camaraderie! Small simple working men’s gesture. He contacted Wadworth, who sent Arms in Daniel Street (at the far end of Great somebody over to explain how to look after it. Pulteney Street). Definitely one to watch out It seems to have worked: the pint of 6X I tried for. was the best I’ve had for ages. I’d originally asked for a pint of Courage’s, but was told that it Bath’s other King William, the King was past its best. There’s not many gastropubs William IV at Combe Down, appears in the where you get that sort of service. Good Beer Guide for the second year running. However, the couple that took it into the Guide The Roundhouse in Stall Street, which left at the end of last year. closed earlier this year, has reopened as a Pret à Manger restaurant. THURSDAY 24 August was a black day for many of Bath’s drinkers: the Old Farmhouse The King William on Thomas Street has on Lansdown Road closed. The Farmhouse made it to the Good Beer Guide for the first time wasn’t just a pub, it was an institution, known as this year. Taken over a couple of years ago by Bath’s Ronnie Scott’s, and presided over for the Charlie and Amanda Digney, this small street- last 30 years by John Bradshaw. Brad, as he was corner pub has not only been transformed into generally known, was a genuine character. Few one of the most interesting and adventurous real people who knew him were without a ready ale pubs in town, but has also won an enviable anecdote or two, which they were happy to reputation for food. relate whenever his name cropped up in conversation – and when talking about Bath’s Earlier this year, Charlie and Amanda also pubs, his name came up more often than most. took over the Garrick’s Head, next to the The walls – and ceiling – of the Farmhouse were Theatre Royal, where they are pursuing the same plastered with memorabilia reflecting Brad’s two policy of great beer and good food. With Burrow passions, jazz and Bristol Rovers. Brad’s face was A model of the Old Farmhouse sign Hill Cider also on offer, it’s one of the few familiar to people who’d never set foot in the featuring John Bradshaw 14 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST (and women’s) pub. Red rose plant on the bar basement flat. His funeral in Bath Abbey was has a note: “my sincere thanks to you all” it attended by nearly a thousand people, from all reads. It’s that sort of pub. Simple cream and walks of life. Afterwards, a wake was held brown décor in public and smoking room, plus upstairs at the Raven, after which the celebra- open fire and the supremely knowledgeable Mrs tion of Peter’s life adjourned to the Old Green Moore (who calls everyone under 80 “lad”) Tree. He was an extraordinary man. I, along behind the bar, all complete the 1940’s feel of with many others, felt privileged to know him. the place. No music - just people.’ More tributes, and a video, can be found at Brad wasted no time in opening the old place www.bathbuskers.co.uk. The Old Green Tree up and in converting a large low-ceilinged room is a sadder place without him. at the back into a jazz venue. There are still those in Bath who remember Mrs Moore’s DRINKING Thatcher’s Cider in the Dover 1940s-style kingdom and bemoan Brad’s Branch Pub of the Year (see separate report), I changes, but this was no corporate make-over: it had great difficulty persuading the landlord that was the means to establishing an institution that it was virtually unobtainable in Bath. A quick has itself now slipped into history. flick through the recent CAMRA cider guide The names of those who have played at the (handily kept behind the bar) confirmed that Farmhouse are a roll-call of jazz greats – Danny there were indeed no recommended cider outlets Sheppard, Bobby Mickleburgh, Earl Hines, Buck in the city. He found it incredible that a city in Clayton, Humphrey Lyttleton ... you never the heart of cider country should turn its back so knew who might turn up. One memorable Sunday resolutely on real cider. evening about five years ago, George Melly, who With the Old Farmhouse (a Black Rat was staying in Bath, dropped by to join the Joe outlet) currently closed, the number of pubs Murphy Trio in an impromptu session. Up-and- Peter Attenborough in the Old Green Tree selling genuine Somerset cider in the city has coming stars such as Jamie Cullum, Clare Teal dwindled even further. The Ram in Widcombe and Zoe Schwartz also played at the Bell long when in season, as a finishing touch). He may and the Belvoir Castle on the Lower Bristol before they became famous. And, if you were have been sporting a buttonhole, with a Panama Road still have a staunch Thatcher’s cider lucky, Brad, after firing a string of one-liners and hat or beret hung on a nearby hook, or he may drinking fraternity; the Garrick’s Head in the repartee at the band, would get up and sing have been in his working gear – generally a Sawclose sells cider from Burrow Hill. Broadoak, himself. colourful, festival-style sweater. The chances are a filtered cider from Clutton, is available on The last night was a sad occasion, reminis- that he would have engaged you in conversation draught in the Old Green Tree, while a guest cent of all those closing nights in the 1960s and – although the subject matter, given the breadth cider or perry can always be found at the Royal 1970s when so many of Bath’s old boozers fell of his knowledge and interests (and the length of Oak. The Volunteer Rifleman’s Arms victim to the developers. The pictures and time he’d been in the pub), was somewhat less serves Black Rat, and the Salamander serves posters had been stripped from the walls, and, by predictable. Ashton Press. the time I arrived, the pub was fast running out Later, walking through the Abbey Church But, compared with the quantity of of beer. The place – and the stage – however, Yard, you may have seen him playing a penny Magner’s that now gets swilled in Bath (the were packed. The Joe Murphy Trio were joined whistle, for he was one of Bath’s longest- power of marketing!), Somerset cider comes a by other regular performers such as Geoff standing, and most respected buskers. His real very poor second. Weston’s from Herefordshire, Nicholls and Brian Huggett, and, as the evening talent, however, was as a potter. He was also a in bottled form, is also very popular in pubs such wore on, members of Metropolis, the regular gifted teacher, inspiring generations of children as the Bell and the Old Green Tree, but Friday night band, joined in as well. It was a jam to craft pottery. He had his own kiln at anyone looking for unfiltered local cider is likely session to end all jam sessions, and, by any Swainswick (swept away when they built an to be disappointed. It is sad that, in a city with reckoning, a great send-off, but, as the instru- unnecessary by-pass), and also set up temporary so many pubs dedicated to furthering the cause ments were packed away at the end of the night, of real ale, the cause of Somerset’s unique everyone agreed it was a sad day for jazz in Bath contribution to alcoholic imbibification should – not just for established performers and fans, be so neglected. but for up-and-coming musicians who desper- Now that Bristol, with no shortage of decent ately need venues like the Farmhouse. cider houses, has the Apple boat-bar at Welsh Brad is still around – he lives with his wife Back, introducing the likes of Old Bristolian, Old Mary in the house next door – and he looks Rosie, Heck’s Kingston Black, Thatcher’s forward to popping back into the Farmhouse Traditional, Rich’s Medium and Oliver’s Perry after Wadworth have given it a make-over and to a new and appreciative audience, the idea that found someone to take it over. It would be nice cider is the preserve of red-nosed crusties with a to think that they’ll manage to find someone to dubious line in surrealist monologue seems to revive it as Bath’s premier jazz venue, but at the have been quashed once and for all. But how long moment its future is unknown. The Farmhouse will it be before Bath catches up with Bristol, and was what it was because of Brad’s passion for Peter Attenborough with Daniella and gets a state-of-the-art cider house? And how jazz – and because of his larger than life Tim of the Old Green Tree long before Somerset’s traditional tipple gets the character. Bath’s drinkers will miss him – and recognition it deserves in the county’s biggest not just because of the music. He’s a very hard kilns at festivals such as Glastonbury. Twice he city? act to follow, and I’m sure I speak for all the tried to establish an arts centre for young people Farmhouse’s clientele when I wish him and Mary in Bath, to include a pottery-making facility, but A NEW company called Beer Drinkers a happy and well-deserved retirement. on each occasion he was outmanoeuvred by Choice has been set up in Bath, supplying developers. Had he succeeded, those pious souls bottled beers and ciders from Britain and Europe. ANOTHER Bath institution passed away in who complain about young people running riot It’s not necessary to buy a whole case of a September. If you visited the Old Green Tree on the streets of Bath would have to find particular beer, as there is the option to buy in Green Street any time over the last few years, something else to moan about. mixed cases. Their address is Unit 10, Brassmill the chances are you will have come across a tall, Peter Attenborough was a man of many Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath BA1 white-bearded gentleman sitting at the corner of talents and many friends. He died suddenly on 15 3JN. Their website is the bar, drinking Mr Perrett’s Stout from September after falling down a flight of unlit www.BeerDrinkersChoice.co.uk and they can be Wickwar Brewery (possibly with a strawberry, steps whilst on his way to visit a friend in a contacted on 01225 469121. Andrew Swift National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 15 ...... PINTS WEST Pints Weston ...... Watering Holes in the Desert

news from Weston-super-Mare

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Weston Whispers (pub and beer news) Newman’s Wolver’s Ale, although this is sometimes replaced with RCH Pitchfork. On THERE have been many changes in the pub many choices of meals for less than a fiver. Worle High Street, the Lamb continues to sell scene in Weston over the past few weeks. As Unfortunately, the beer offering is still a good pint of Butcombe Bitter for a reason- reported in A Round With Robin, the (ex) Elm Courage Best and Bass. The latter was in very able £2.10 a pint. Tree on Meadow Street has re-opened as the good condition on my sole visit to-date, but Still in Worle, the Nut Tree on Ebdon Corner House and shortly before going to given that we now have 20 breweries in Road currently holds the distinction of being press, Paul Davey from RCH brewery notified Somerset producing some great beers, it seems the only pub in North Somerset that has us that the Ancaster on Devonshire Road was a shame that so many pubs can’t offer banned Pints West. This stemmed from a about to re-open as the Oak House, selling anything that hasn’t traveled at least 150 miles comment in this column a couple of years ago RCH’s PG Steam and their seasonal special and isn’t as good as the local produce. (PW no. 64) when I suggested that their prices Steam Carnival. This sounds like an exciting The Old Inn, Hutton seems to have seemed very high in relation to the strengths of development, particularly if RCH beers are to reduced its interest in guest beers (it has the beers and also in comparison to some other be permanently stocked. More news on this in previously been offering two at a time – often pubs. The 3.6% Greene King IPA at £2.40 the next Pints West. rarely seen ones). Recent visits have seen the was specifically mentioned. I hadn’t visited On the downside, the shutters are cur- advertised “guest beer” as being Greene King the pub since, but I recently decided to let rently up at the Red Admiral in the centre of Abbot Ale. Given that Greene King own the bygones be bygones and was rewarded with an town. No one seems to know what the future pub this seems a bit disingenuous. excellent pint of Theakston’s Paradise, which holds. In the last edition of Pints West I com- was in superb condition. This beer was £2.45 a The Wadworth-owned Major From mented that £2.60 for a pint of Otter Bitter in pint and is 4.2% ABV. This appears to be an Glengarry is again on the managerial merry- the Somerset & Dorset pub in Burnham was improvement in value for money – only 2% go-round. The local CAMRA branch visited “mind boggling.” (Consider yourself lucky – dearer than the afore-mentioned GK IPA for a the Major as part of our Seaside Summer equivalent or even higher prices have sadly stronger beer and, of course, two years have Saunter in August and were greeted by the new become the norm where I live. Ed.) Luke passed when many people have been increas- managers – Pete and Karen – and also some Roberts from Otter Brewery has contacted me ing their prices by way more than 2%. superb Theakston’s Old Peculier. Pete is a to point out that the beer on offer there is Twenty minutes’ walk to the north of the long-standing Wadworth manager. His actually Otter Ale, which is 4.5% ABV, as Nut Tree is the Ebdon Arms in Wick St previous pubs have included the much-missed opposed to their Bitter, which is only 3.6% Lawrence. Despite the acquisition of the pub Long John Silver in Kewstoke. The pub offers ABV. He also points out that between the by Marston’s, Steve Beasley is continuing to a changing guest beer alongside the Waddie’s beer leaving the brewery and being pulled in offer as wide a range of real ales as he can. On regulars. The guests have come from the likes the pub, those nice people at Enterprise Inns, my last visit, there were seven ales available. of Skinner’s, Tom Wood, Young’s, Marston’s not to mention the Belgians and Brazilians at These included Marston’s Pedigree, Bass, a and Archer’s. The pub also does cheap food in InBev, need to take their cut, so the high price couple from Butcombe and a very fine Old the evenings. should not be seen as a reflection on Otter or Timber from Lincolnshire’s Tom Wood Weston Cricket Club has a new face the pub manager. The price still seems a bit brewery. Our congratulations to Steve and running the bar. Dave Unwin has previously steep to me, especially considering that the Rose for their inclusion in the 2007 Good Beer worked at the Clarence House Club in Somerset & Dorset has a competing Wether- Guide – the Ebdon only opened last year, so Portishead and the Mizzymead Club in spoon pub only a few yards away. However, they have qualified in the first year of eligibil- Nailsea. We wish him well. The club currently Otter brew some very good beers and I would ity. These five pubs in the Worle area will be offers Butcombe Bitter and at least one guest encourage anyone to give them a try – visited by the Weston CAMRA branch for our beer. The club offers admittance to CAMRA particularly the excellent strong ale, Otter first social of 2007 on Wednesday 17 January. members. There are plans to hold a beer Head, which sells for a mere £1.90 a pint in the All are welcome to join us on this crawl – in festival in March – more details in the next aforementioned Wetherspoon pub in Burnham. particular the many Worle CAMRA members Pints West. You don’t have to go as far as Burnham to that we never see. Over in Milton, the “under new manage- try an Otter beer. The Woodspring in Worle The Ship at Uphill is advertising in the ment” sign is up at the Bristol House on sells Otter Ale, along with Butcombe. The local press as having ever-changing guest ales. Milton Road. Very good value food here – nearby Old King’s Head normally sells On a recent visit these were Blindman’s Mine Beer and Brains SA. Nice beers, but perhaps steep prices for their strength at £2.50 and I’d even be prepared to pay £2.55 respectively. £2.60 to get my hands on a Congratulations for Good Beer Guide pint of beer right now! inclusion to Off The Rails – a magnificent seven years in a row. Also, to the Raglan Arms. Some of us are still trying to get the sand out of our toes from the Raglan’s beach party held over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Aside from a lot of sand, the lounge bar was filled with large beach umbrellas, inflatables, fishing nets, buckets and spades, an indoor barbecue and Caribbean-style music. Oh yes, and a beer festival. Tim Nickolls 16 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... Pints Weston P...... INTS WEST The musings of A trip to the Wyvern Club Beer Festival THE Weston CAMRA sub-branch travelled in phere and we all felt very welcome. Dr John two groups by train to Taunton for the Anyway it came to that time of the AUGUST saw the Bristol Branch minibus Wyvern Club beer festival recently. Our travel evening when we had to make the big taxi visit, which started at the the Queens Arms, group of four arrived at Taunton and grabbed a decision. Do we go early and stop off for a Bleadon, which had flowers outside but not taxi to the Good Beer Guide-listed Eagle in pint on the way or do we go direct to the train inside. The Old Inn, Hutton was next. It has South Street. We had an excellent pint of station? As usual our leader Tim sorted it all what appears to be a wicket gate and lamp- Western Arches from the Cottage brewery. out. So we stood outside waiting for a taxi, one posts with bars. There is decking out front but Funny pub though – blue ceiling not quite in arrived and then said, ‘We are not for you.’ all was quiet whilst we were there. Uphill was keeping with the purple curtains and multi- Next taxi arrived and four of us (or was it five) missed out, possibly because first gear could coloured carpet! went to Harpoon Louies, opposite the railway not be engaged. The Cricket Club was visited. From the Eagle we walked to the Wyvern station. What a great modern pub: Otters or They may be ordering holly for Xmas. It was Club, under the guidance of Tim’s trusty map, Cotleigh Tawny – very nice. the owners’ night off at the Waverley, where we met other Weston CAMRA And then to spoil a great evening Duncan possibly for a Walter Scott reading, but the members. What more could we want? Good got a smelly kebab! Our fun evening, that attention was as good as ever. Arrival at Off company, excellent beer and a brisk walk started by train, ended by a coach (thought- The Rails caused some consternation as it before settling down to the serious part of the fully equipped with a loo) back to sunny crashed the Quiz Night. The last port of call evening. Weston due to the overnight engineering works was the Woolpack, to end a good night had by According to the crib sheet there were 18 on the railway. all. beers at the festival, in addition to the Club’s Funny old world. If we had travelled by September was marked by the Thatcher’s usual beers. However we reckoned they were bus to Taunton the fare would have been more Cider Open Day, which over 1,500 people saving some for the rest of the weekend than by train. Yet when the train doesn’t run attended. The cider tent was dispensing because on Friday night they were not all they put on a bus which takes longer and costs unlimited free samples and the farm shop was there. I started with Proper Job and Cousin more! Of course the coach had to go to well and truly open. Tours of the plant Jack, both from the St. Austell brewery. Bridgwater (without the e) and other Highbury showed how it has been done for over a Cousin Jack was the preferred drink of the as well, so no chance for a late one as we got hundred years. The Cheddar Valley draughts two, Proper Job being too bright and light for back to Weston well after midnight. were refreshing on a hot afternoon and had the me. Once again we had a very enjoyable flavour of ciders matured in oak vats. The Then I moved on to Otter Bitter from the evening out. If you are not a CAMRA Traditional draught is from a recipe that is also Otter brewery, followed by Barnstormer from member and are reading this Pints West over a hundred years old and had the taste of a Bath Ales. For me, no contest – Barn Stormer! wondering what it is all about, well for me it is true Somerset cider. There was a fine selection I like Bath Ales wherever I find them: consist- about great beers, good company and fun of bottles to sample, including Gold, another ent and always tasty, never disappointing. evenings; seeing pubs and clubs you might Somerset cider with a true apple taste. And as a result newest member, Duncan, never otherwise go to; drinking beers you Speciality ciders on show included a sweet discovered and fell in love with Barnstormer. might never find at your local; and supporting Cox’s, dry Katy and superb Spartan. All in all Food too was quite good and reasonably the most successful consumer campaign ever. a most pleasant afternoon. priced. The Wyvern Club has a good atmos- Why don’t you join us? Dr John Dave McVittie

National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 17 ...... PINTS WEST ......

QEH, Industrial Museum and Redcliffe Caves, A Round with Robin I’m afraid to say the culture disintegrated into a pub crawl. I made use of the Southville AS my last article finished with the impending Calcott was keeping this beer house in 1844. Coronation’s Saturday afternoon pricing re-opening of the Elm Tree in Meadow Street The current pub of that name, situated in policy – £1.70 a pint for all draught ales – in Weston-super-Mare, I’d better inform you Palmer Row, appears to have been built at the where I had (new to me) the Hop Back that it is now called the Corner House (and same time as the houses in Palmer and Moderation at 4.5% and the Hop Scotch at this town has had at least two pubs of that Hopkins Street and completed by at least 4.2% before paying my first visit to the Eldon name in the last 100 years). The good news is 1861, as it is recorded in Kelly’s directory House, just off Jacobs Wells Road in Clifton. that it is serving real ale, currently Young’s then. Brian Austin, the local historian who has This pub, which came well recommended in a Bitter and Boddington Cask, but the bad news researched Weston’s road names, reports that Pints West article recently, impressed me with is that virtually nothing of the Victorian décor “Palmer Row was named after George Palmer its simple décor and friendly welcome, remains. Despite its turbulent past it is at least 1820-1900, known as the Squire of the White complemented by a superb pint of Bath Ales still a pub, for which give thanks. Hart, Builder”. The Victorian stables and Wild Hare at 5.0% for £2.50. As it was a warm A few minutes’ walk from there will bring stable yard was filled in by the time of the afternoon I was able to sit outside where two you to the White Hart (also on a corner) 1932 Ordnance Survey map, and this area is small tables on the pavement where well used. where the beer range is always changing. In the the skittle alley and much of the bar on your Despite the traffic being continuous in Jacobs last few months there has been a good left as you enter. The pub has retained a few Wells Road, the traffic noise was minimal, and selection of beers from Hidden, Archers, RCH, of its Victorian fittings but most of the interior soon I popped down this road to the Hope Goff’s and other breweries. Lou has also built is from the mid-20th century. and Anchor. Here I sampled the Bristol Beer up a good working relationship with Church Factory’s Sunrise at 4.4% (brewed less than a End brewery from Nuneaton. As a conse- A Round with Robin in other local pubs has mile away as the crow flies) for £2.60. The quence of this we have just enjoyed their Stout led me to frequent the Castle at Kewstoke, beer was of good quality. Further dpown the Coffin, and despite the barrel lasting a week, where the full range of Newman’s beers have road the Bag O’Nails had reasonably priced the last drop was as good as the day it went been showcased in an ever-changing sequence. beers from “oop north”, namely Caledonian on. More brews from Church End are pro- In August the Mendip Mammoth was Tattoo at 4.2% and Storm PGA Pale Ale at grammed and by the time you are reading this I rampaging through the bar, but now the Bite is 4.4%. I was also mightily pleased with the expect the infamous Wychwood Dog’s snapping at your heels. (Pure Dr John’s style). Matthews Midsomer Pale at 4.5% which was Bollocks to be ready there. The beer is of good quality but beware, the almost my favourite beer of the day. The White Hart is a real locals’ local pub keeps the old opening hours and closes in supporting at least three skittles teams, a the afternoons. At the White Lion Late Summer Festival, football team, pool, darts and a big screen for Coming around the coast from there, the I had a pleasant day roasting in the sunshine those important sporting events, and above all Captain’s Cabin (best known for its excellent on 23rd September; it was apt therefore that a friendly welcome. food), has a very well-kept drop of Bass, and my favourite ale of the day, from Hampshire, It also has a quite interesting history; the further south, the Major from Glengarry had was Indian Summer, a very fruity and hoppy first White Hart recorded in Weston was Theakston’s Old Peculier on sale recently, and 4.2% beer. I was intrigued by the tasting notes situated in Oxford Street where Thomas very good it was too, though a mite expensive describing E&S Elland’s Moonbeam Rider as a for this area of town. traditional lager; this set my mind to my The Raglan Arms, a walking up the hill to Zerodegrees, which I stone’s throw from the hadn’t been to before. It was hard to picture it Major, never ceases to as the old Bristol Tramway terminus, but I delight with its unusual enjoyed a pint of Pale Ale, tasty but some- mix of the local and not what fizzy, whilst sitting on the veranda so local beers. Beers overlooking the spires and chimneys. from Butcombe, St On my way back to the railway station I Austell, Archer’s and called in at the Seven Stars, (now under new Sharp’s are regulars, management) where I had a decent pint of but also Mauldon, Barnstormer. Alas I could only look at the O’Hanlon’s, RCH, outside of the Cornubia (now closed in case Skinner’s and others you hadn’t heard). appear from time to time with the occa- Having had my first draught St Austell’s sional real surprise. A Proper Job earlier in 2006 at the Crediton Inn few weeks ago, on the in Crediton, on my return in October I was usual Friday night able to sample another first for me, the Fat music session, I had a Catz (4.8%) from Highgate. Their first major great time quaffing the beer festival since redesigning the interior of delicious Archer’s the pub takes place before Pints West goes to Oyster Stout. The print, but I will report on it in the next issue. Chimera India Pale Ale Regency has started to Suffice to say that on the programme of add a changing beer to “included” ales are six I’ve not seen before. Voted Beer of the Festival Bristol 2005 its four regulars. Until a With other members of the Weston sub- Silver medal winner at the fortnight ago this was branch I visited the 5th Wyvern Club Beer Marston’s Pedigree Festival in Taunton. Most of the beers on Beauty of Hop Competition June 2004 selling at £2 a pint; I’m were not new to me, those which were did not told Theakston’s XB come on until the following day. It was a Brewed by the Downton Brewery Co. Ltd. will be ready soon. disappointment not to see them using lined Slightly further glasses at what appeared to be a CAMRA- (tel 01 722 322890) afield, I visited Bristol supported festival; Phil Edmonds, who is the who also brew Chimera Gold, Chimera Red, on the 9th September Somerset CAMRA travel officer, was working Chimera Quadhop and Chimera Raspberry Wheat for the Open Doors the racked beer bar and told me he’d welcome Day. After visiting help from other CAMRA members for future 18 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST festivals. If you are passing through Bridgwater you should visit the Cobblestones Hotel in Backwell Beerfest breaks Eastover, just off the A38 Broadway. It is a selection from local farms and orchards, real oasis (Commercial Inn excepted) in a town including Backwell-grown apples! The most that used to have three entries in the Good new ground popular were Heck’s Kingston Black and Beer Guide but now has none. I was fortunate AFTER a summer of supping al fresco at Tick’num Tipple, our most local brew. As a to be Morris dancing at the Cobblestones first festivals in glorious sunshine was there room result we may well be seeing some new beer festival on August bank holiday where a for a small autumn beer festival in a village club scrumpy at the club. dozen beers were racked in the bar and more with limited space, off the main road, and It was great to see locals Butcombe and on gravity in the cellar. Cotliegh, RCH and whose members have, shall we say, well- RCH getting involved this year with their Bath Ales were all well represented, with Brunel IPA and powerful Firebox respectively others from Cornwall and Devon too. Their defined ideas about what beer they like? That was the question confronting alongside Matthews’ Bob Wall and Berrow policy is of two regular ales and one guest Carnivale with a fascinating contrast in styles which is not repeated except by public Backwell Village Club’s chair Martyn Howell and vice-chair (myself) in contemplating a between Skinners’ Cornish Knocker and its demand! I was looking at the YHA magazine neighbour Doom Bar Special from Sharp’s. Triangle and noticed that they had the cheek repeat of last year’s inaugural bash. The answer seems to be a definite ‘yes’ with every Rhymney’s Premier Lager seemed to fall to put on the front cover “YHA is pioneering between two stylistic stools, but Solar Power the real ale revolution – and it tastes good.” prospect when the sums are complete of the club making another large donation to local from the Isle of Purbeck avoided that trap. What do they think CAMRA has been doing What did we get from it? Apart from all these years? However, credit to YHA that charities. “First and foremost the brewers were charity funds, BVC made a number of new at least eleven of their hostels now have real friends (40 of whom have applied for member- ale bars. fantastic,” enthused Martyn, whose abilities in the ‘birds from trees’ department extended to ship), the range of guest beers and ciders will continue to grow – and sales of aspirin showed With three other chaps from Weston getting a number of discounts and free barrels. And the usual generosity of Backwell and a slight, temporary upturn! CAMRA I visited Belgium for the first time. John Merriman We went to two breweries, Cantillon in Nailsea businesses in sponsoring everything Brussels and Vapuer in Papaix, which is not from beer and glasses to food and live music far from Mons where we visited six bars, two ensured that the club treasurer resumed particularly good ones. We also went to the sleeping nights even before the doors opened. amazing Delirium bar in Brussels which has “And the beers?” I hear you ask. Well, the Pub news over 2,000 bottled beers from around the theme was ‘Beers never before seen at the world in stock, as well as 14 draught beers. Club’, and without a wholesaler in sight a HAVING just had a successful first beer Selection is made from a book the size of a balance of classics and newer brews appeared festival recently, Steve Jones of the Rhubarb telephone directory! At the Vapeur brewery from as far afield as Cockermouth and Tavern in Queen Anne Road, Barton Hill is we had a buffet-style meal where all the food Cornwall as well as ‘you know what’ from now planning the follow-up. His next festival had beer in the preparation of it: smoked Crouch Vale in Essex, which naturally went will be taking place on 24th and 25th February salmon, smoked ham, cheese and even the well. But the organisers were concerned about 2007. bread was made with Vapeur beers! BVC members’ traditional resistance to dark At the time of writing, the Bag O’Nails in beers. They needn’t have worried. Jennings’ Hotwells was in the middle of another of its I’d like to finish this article with a letter classic will lift a few snecks in Backwell from popular twice-yearly beer festivals. These take from The Times which reads: now on, Bath Ales’ Festivity lifted many a place each April and November. With the Sir, Perhaps Jamie Oliver should have a spirit and Cotleigh’s Buzzard swooped down a current one not even over, the next one is word with the borough of Trafford. Its “new few necks over the weekend. already being planned for April 19th to 22nd exciting menus” for schools include the dessert This year instead of getting popular ciders 2007. The Bag’s festivals are always a good choice of “a glass of cold mild.” From Bob from the brewers the club asked one of its bet for people hoping to find examples of Greaves, Altrincham, Cheshire. members, Stewart Marshall, to source a those elusive dark beers. Robin E Wild SP blindmans brewery Award-Winning Real Ales RCH Brewery Brewed with Natural Spring Water West Hewish Buff 3.6% Golden Spring 4.0% Nr Weston-super-Mare Mine Beer 4.2% Icarus 4.5% Tel: 01934-834447 Eclipse 4.2% Siberia 4.7% Brewers of award-wining beers including BLINDMANS BREWERY LTD " P.G. Steam Talbot Farm, Leighton, " Pitchfork Nr Frome, Somerset BA11 4PN " East Street Cream Tel: 01749 880038 Fax: 01749 880379 " Firebox email: [email protected] Guest Beers and Beer Festivals catered for www.blindmansbrewery.co.uk

National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 19 ...... PINTS WEST ...... Cry Freedom, Cry Seven Stars! DURING Bristol’s Radical History Week pub in the Bristol Record Office, mentioning (28th October to 5th November) at the appro- Sir John Hawkins who, whilst buying what priately named Spyglass restaurant, the Long was to become the George’s Brewery, acquired John Silver Trust was twice invited to join in the pub in 1697 (it must surely be one of the with the debates. country’s earliest surviving tied houses). This On the Wednesday evening, as a repre- new early date adds to the more commonly sentative of the Trust, I spoke about the known history of the pub with its involvement history of the Seven Stars pub in Thomas in the anti-slavery movement. Lane, Redcliffe, under the heading of “The Anti-Slavery Movement in Bristol”, and again When speaking about Thomas Clarkson’s on the Saturday afternoon for “Bristol and the ‘spying’ work at the Seven Stars, which he Revolutionary Atlantic”. carried out for William Wilberforce, Peter Linebaugh – one of the Radical History Week’s star speakers – pointed out that in America, the Plough (which the Seven Stars represent) played a huge part in the freeing of slaves in the Southern States. He then went on to say that the North Star (where the Big Dipper, as the Plough is called in America, points the way) is now known as the Freedom Star, and the ramifications of all this made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Bearing in mind that the Seven Stars is such a rare survivor — it has survived the Blitz, post- and pre-war planners, not to mention new roads (such as Victoria Street) and all of the brewery ‘re-organisations’— it is It was due to my interest in Bristol’s pubs incredible that its still here. Drawing of the Seven Stars from and breweries that I was able to join in on the Also, doubly mind blowing is the fact that Old Inns of Bristol written by Wednesday, where I was sandwiched between at that time the pub could have had any one of CFW Dening and published in 1943 two really good speakers, Dave Cullum (who, 850 other names, my two favourites from the to my amazement, didn’t need any notes) and Temple district being the Yellow Anchor and Madge Dresser. Here I spoke about the the Crabs Well Inn. I also like the Admiral If you look in “Bristol Inns and Alehouses international relevance of the Seven Stars, its Hawke (it used to be found on the Quay) in the Mid-Eighteenth Century”, the most history and its background. named after the man Long John Silver claimed popular pub name was The Ship, of which I talked about the earliest references to the to have once sailed under. there were 37 in Bristol. Other contenders from then include the Double Headed Cat, the Bell and Coffee Pot and the Leg of Mutton and DON’T FORGET TO INVITE ‘BOB’ Cauliflower. These, however, just don’t seem TO ALL YOUR PARTIES AND BARBECUES to have the same ring to them, and the significance of the pub’s name can’t be overlooked. Peter also mentioned the slavery song “The Drinking Gourd” in connection with the Seven Stars and runaway slaves, and as no one else there present had heard of it, I left the meeting determined to try and find out more.

Our piece on the second Saturday was to be on “Pirates and the Long John Silver Trust”. Using a PowerPoint presentation, I was able to adapt it to fit in with the after- noon’s proceedings, as you’ll see below. The first speaker was a young Dutchman by the name of Niklas Frykman, who did a fascinating talk on “The Mutiny on the Hermione”, and he was followed by a detailed life study of Herman Melville (“Moby Dick: Below Decks in the Pequod”) by Ruth Symister which was also top notch. Then the star of the show, Peter GIVE THE BREWERY A CALL FOR COLLECTION PRICES Linebaugh, did his piece on “Terror and the Commons in the Era of the Revolutionary 20 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST Atlantic”. To give people a measure of how escapees. other. significant he is, this was actually filmed by The chorus of the song goes as follows: More ideas included having a cycle path the BBC at the event. The talk was long and Follow the drinking gourd. named after Blackbeard, and a decent memorial varied, revealing, passionate and very intellec- Follow the drinking gourd. to the Bristol Riots of 1831, possibly centred tual. It frightened the life out of me. The old man is a waiting for to carry you to on the surviving entrance gate to the old “New In his speech he made passing remarks freedom if you Gaol” on Cumberland Road. about Robinson Crusoe and Woodes Rogers, Follow the drinking gourd.” Dave from Clevedon (Union man and a cornerstones of my talk, and made me, in a great orator) asked that if a tiny place like mad panic, change the running order of what I The words “pivotal” and “epiphany” are Watchet – population 1,400 – could have a was about to say. Earlier in the week I had perhaps overused a little these day’s, but sculpture to the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, been impressed by the story of “The Drinking surely not in the case of Bristol’s most why couldn’t Bristol – population 400,000 – Gourd”, and decided to start with that. important inn. Fifty years after Clarkson have one for Treasure Island? The “Drinking Gourd” is yet another received help from a Bristol pub landlord Sculpture talk must have been in the air, North American name given to the Big Dipper, named Thompson, the Seven Stars was in use because I’d asked Madge Dresser on the and it formed the basis of the aforementioned again leading yet more people to Freedom. Wednesday night what was happening with song. It’s a ‘pilot verse’ (or coded song) I suggested that it was now more impor- the eagerly awaited Bristol Monument to which means that, depending on your interpre- tant than ever to mark next year’s Abolition Slavery, but unfortunately she didn’t know. tation, it gives you directions. In former times 200 commemorations with a CAMRA it was a common device used by seamen in Historic Pub plaque for the Seven Stars, with Bristol Radical History Week was put on their sea shanties for centuries. perhaps the Harry Brown Sea Shanty men by a very small team of enthusiasts and cost Our particular song though guided doing the unveiling honours with a rousing just £1,400 to mount. What a bargain! I’m runaway slaves, at a particular time of the chorus from The Drinking Gourd. sure if it were anyone else it would have been year, to freedom in the North of America and at least £14,000. It was funded purely by the Canada. It guided people along rivers and I followed this with Daniel Defoe, Woodes goodwill of the people. trails, where it was difficult for hounds to Rogers and all the other Bristol references that The two main venues were the Spyglass follow, and across the Mason-Dixon Line. perhaps influenced Robert Louis Stevenson in King Street and the Cube Microplex, and This became known as the Underground when he set his “world” novel here, Treasure both places had Long John Silver bottled Railroad or the Freedom Train. Island. The audience seemed to appreciate the beer available to keep the audience happy. In A legendary character named Peg Leg Joe talk and we had a few laughs. fact, the Cube is so pleased with the beer that (he was a sailor turned carpenter who had lost There then followed another vibrant they’re thinking of keeping it on. part of his right leg) went amongst the slaves question and answer session, where it was put Many thanks to Roger, Ian and their in the South, and taught them the song. In fact forward that we could have Long John Silver dedicated team of helpers who put on such a he’s the old man in the chorus. Amazingly, for as the “Colossus of Bristol” – striding across great event, the Long John Silver Trust will the Trust, other songs of this ilk were about the Floating Harbour – with his one good leg forever be in your debt. Long John and Old Riley who were also on one bank, and the tip of his crutch on the Mark Steeds

Long John Silver Beer Malt, Hops, Yeast & Water! now available in bottles as well as cask

What’s in Yours? Make it yours at THE WHITE LION, Quay Head, Bristol City Centre. Also available direct from the brewery in 18 and 36 pint polypins or delivered direct to your door. THE AWARD-WINNING BREWERS OF Get yours at the Beaufort Arms GLOUCESTERSHIRE Hawkesbury Upton, South Glos. The Wickwar Brewing Co Ltd, Gloucestershire, UK Home of the Long John Silver Trust 01454 294 168 [email protected] www.beaufortarms.com Tel. 01454 - 238217 www.wickwarbrewing.com

National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 21 ...... PINTS WEST ......

By your Nailsea correspondent Island in the sea Laurie Gibney

the bar floor and apparently therefore a new seconded from the owner’s Patco Supermarket Off with the cask cannot be put on when the bar is busy. at Totterdown. In February Des Oram, the Also available are a wide selection of wines, previous manager and head chef for many Queen’s Head! spirits and the odd foreign beer such as years, moved on to the waterside Admiral’s THE name board of the Queen’s Head came Hoegaarden. Coffee is served from early Table at Bridgewater Marina. Could there be off the wall of the pub in the centre of Nailsea morning and a varied selection of excellent any significance in the fact that the Admiral’s in September and shortly afterwards the name dishes are available at lunchtime. The Court- Table and the Dew Drop Inn at Flax Bourton, Bragg’s Wine Bar went up, with a hanging yard Wine Bar has been run by Maureen just up the road from the New Battle Axe, are pub sign exquisitely painted by the landlady Buchaly since the business started thirteen both part of the Eldridge Pope Pub Compa- Lucy King. There is no change to the real ale years ago and is a true free house, which is a ny’s empire? being served, which remains as Greene King’s welcome change from the stranglehold which The head chef at the New Battle Axe is IPA at £2.40 a pint and Old Speckled Hen at monopolistic pub companies have on most of now Harry Brayne who has been on the team £2.70 a pint. our local pubs. for twenty-six years. In addition to the The premises closed for a few weeks for carvery, a la carte menu and bar snacks, a new the change-over, reopening on 15th September The ale which overwhelmingly won Beer “two meals for £10” menu has recently been with the thirty-two-seat restaurant opening a of the Festival at CAMRA’s Bristol Beer introduced, as well as “The Lords” classic week later. The pub company, Punch Taverns, Festival last March – Bristol Beer Factory’s Indian cuisine which is now buffet style. have not contributed to the refurbishment and Milk Stout – made a brief appearance at the Opening times are Mondays to Thursdays 12 much of the work has been done by the White Lion in Nailsea over the weekend of ’til 3pm and 6 ’til 10pm. On Fridays and landlord and landlady, who are on a ten-year 21/22 October. The landlady, Louise Thomas, Saturdays the same times apply except that running lease. The name Bragg’s Wine Bar was unable to obtain more than one cask from closing time is 12 midnight, and on their derives from the maiden name of landlord a limited brew run. Why a champion beer like busiest day, Sunday, the New Battle Axe is Richard Beaton’s mother, who ran a restaurant this is in short supply is a question that many open from 12 noon until 10pm. The “Down- boat Will Claire in Bristol’s Historic Harbour. people who voted for it must be wondering. stairs Pub” has reopened, where evening Richard’s great-grandparents ran a hotel and Milk Stout – which a lady lager drinker, when entertainment includes live bands on Thurs- restaurant in Chulmleigh, Devon back at the given a taster, said: “I could drink that!” – was days, karaoke on Fridays and a disco on turn of the century, so the family tradition to be followed by Wickwar’s Rite Flanker. Saturdays. Real ales currently on the bar are continues in the name Bragg’s Wine Bar. The long-awaited refurbishment of the kitchen, Newman’s Wolver’s ale and Courage Best The restaurant is in what was the public closed for some time, was expected to be which has returned. bar and the bar is in what was the lounge bar. completed in November. Asking someone Both have been provided with access to the serving at the Tobacco Factory recently The Mizzymead Social Club continues patios (look out for the pet rabbit) and toilets (effectively the Bristol Beer Factory’s to provide a good selection of guest ales – at the rear of the premises, and there is a small brewery tap) if they had any Milk Stout, I possibly the most varied in Nailsea – to patio at the front surrounded by neat railings. was asked who brewed it – is this gorgeous ale complement the regular real ales, Courage Best At the time of writing the restaurant – from doomed, I ask! and Butcombe Bitter. During recent months which customers may see Richard preparing guest ales have included Brain’s SA, their food in the kitchen through a glazed A recent visit to the Olde Farmhouse Bateman’s Valiant, Butcombe Blond, Caledo- screen – is only open at lunchtimes. The menu revealed that Adrian Boon has lost his nian 80/-, Fuller’s London Pride, Greene King is based on the old “Berni Inn” fayre of steaks business partner Mike Baxter who has become Old Speckled Hen, Hop Back Crop Circle, (16- and 20-ounce T-bone, and 8-ounce fillet the first licensee of the Lord Nelson at Cleeve, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Marston’s and sirloin), Dover sole, salmon, 8-ounce free- previously a Greene King managed house. The Pedigree, Marston’s Single Malt, Okell’s Dr range chicken breast, and light bites. It is Olde Farmhouse is tied to Badger beer and the Okell’s IPA, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, St planned to open the restaurant in the evenings real ale line-up was ‘King & Barnes’ Sussex Austell’s Tribute, Theakston’s Best, Theak- as custom develops, when there will be a Ale, Badger First Gold and Tanglefoot, all ston’s Black Bull Bitter, Theakston’s Mild, monthly fish evening. Various coffees are brewed by the Badger Brewery which owns Theakston’s Paradise Ale, Theakston’s XB, always available. Phone 01275 819007 to book the pub. Thwaite’s Lancaster Bomber and Wadworth’s a table. Summersault. At some future date it is planned to move Pleased to see that Ron Peters at the the cellar to the end of the old skittle alley and Sawyers Arms is using his pub company’s create a gravity-dispense real-ale bar in the SIBA scheme to purchase real ales from local existing cellar which is believed to have been breweries. The scheme cuts out the distances Away from Nailsea the original one-room pub dating from between beer previously travelled to and from ware- 1500 and 1600, the oldest part of the building. houses, by having local small breweries deliver & District The pub expanded into two adjacent cottages direct and bill through the pub company. I in the Georgian era, which were replaced by found Goff’s Jouster on tap at £2 a pint on a Horts in Broad Street, Bristol has been the existing pub frontage in Victorian times. recent visit, in addition to the regulars Courage closed for refurbishment and reopened during Best and Bath Ales Gem. the Autumn. The décor is more up-market The very popular original wine bar in Look out for the Sawyers mini-beer black-leather than previously, and the dedi- Nailsea, the Courtyard Wine Bar, continues festival in CAMRA Community Pubs Week cated eating area at the back reminded me of to provide real-ale drinkers with Bass and (17th to 24th February 2007). when Horts was a Berni Inn, although I didn’t Marston’s Pedigree. To maintain good quality frequent the restaurant as much as the Cellar of the real ale, only one of them is available at Welcome to Indi Bahra, the new manager Bar that has been closed for many years. times in the summer or when lines are cleaned of the New Battle Axe at Wraxall, who was Calling in to check the real ale and cider before any new cask is connected to the hand previously involved in the Bristol club scene. line-up, and to book a table for a meal, I found pumps. The small two-level cellar is beneath He replaces Liz Giles, a temporary manager six Young’s real ales and only one Thatcher’s 22 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST cider which was Traditional Dry. When I Thatcher’s cider also on draught. I am finding asked if they were having any guest ales I was it difficult to do justice to Long Ashton’s real And finally told that they were getting in Charles Wells ale scene, so if you would like to volunteer to Bombadier as a guest ale – I chuckled to write an occasional article and deliver Pints There is hope for John Smith’s Smooth myself and left. For those who don’t know, West to the pubs in Long Ashton each quarter, drinkers yet … and obviously that included the member of please contact the editor. Your scribe has been trying to encourage staff who made the statement, Young’s and John Smith’s Smooth devotees Roger and Sue Charles Wells have combined their breweries CAMRA welcomes David Chaplin, a Chappell to try some of the excellent real ales so Bombadier is hardly a guest ale in my eyes! publisher and now joint licensee with his wife available at the Mizzymead Social Club Our meal was very enjoyable – the sea Helen Lacey, an ex-teacher, who have taken without success. bass and mushroom couscous were excellent, the reigns of the Cross Keys at Combe Down Hearing that one of their old courting the pumpkin couscous was excellent also if a in Bath. They have lived in the locality for haunts, the King’s Arms at Brislington, were little light on pumpkin slices. The apple twenty years. David and Helen have taken holding a beer festival they sallied forth and crumble and cheesecake that followed were over from Mark and Caroline Palmer, who entered the said pub for the first time in many “smashing”. The prices are not unreasonable have “retired” from running pubs after eighteen years to find that it was still the friendly pub when you consider that they reflect the fact years at the Cross Keys and before that twelve they knew and loved many years ago. that a real chef cooks your meal to order from years in London. Mark and Caroline are But… there was no John Smith’s Smooth! fresh ingredients on the premises, instead of a “resting” in Frome for a while and considering Asking for a recommendation from the cook heating up something out of a freezer as running a delicatessen or similar business with landlord, they tried and fell in love with is the case in many restaurants and pubs. more “regular” hours. Codrington Codger (an ale, not an old… David and Helen have retained the services person) from the Cotswold Spring Brewery The Ship Inn in Lower Park Row, Bristol of assistant manager Keith Morris who also near Chipping Sodbury. is a champion of dark ales and is the only pub helps in the kitchen and is the pub’s cellarman, Roger and Sue are now waiting to taste I know in the Bristol & District area which has the essential person looking after the real ales. that ale again nearer home in Nailsea… Any a mild and old ale permanently on the bar, in These, by the way, may be reduced from six offers? the form of Theakston’s Mild and Old back to four or five to maintain quality. Real Peculier. The licensee is Tony Kirk and on my ales have to be selected from the Punch Also, Wessex Water’s staff magazine last visit it was managed by David Mularkey Taverns lists and include regulars Butcombe Source recently reported in its Strange Water who hails from Galway and Huddersfield and Bitter, Courage Best, and Wadworth 6X; Tales feature… Lauren Roussouw from South Africa – long guests may include Bass, Bath Ales Barn- “Fancy a cold pint? A brewery in Green- may they provide a focus for local supporters stormer, Brakspear Bitter and others. Pete land is producing beer using water melted from of the CAMRA Light and Dark Supporters Salsby has joined the team as chef and has the ice cap of the Arctic island. Brewers claim Campaign. revised the menu to increase the use of fresh the water is at least 2,000 years old and free of ingredients and provide three or four specials minerals and pollutants. Half-litres of Green- Welcome to new landlady Sue Wescott at each day. The only change to opening hours is land Pale Ale are on sale in Denmark priced 37 the Bird in Hand in Long Ashton. Sue’s real that the Cross Keys now opens at 12 noon kroner or £3.40.” ales are Bass and Fuller’s London Pride, with every day. Laurie Gibney

Reputedly Bath’s oldest inn steeped in tradition and renowned the world over. Described by The Campaign for Real Ale as a rare and unspoiled pub interior of outstanding historic interest and listed on the National Inventory of Heritage Pubs. Serving traditional English ales including: Bellringer brewed in Bath and Burton’s favourite brew Bass. 23 THE VINEYARDS, PARAGON, BATH Tel 01225 425072

National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 23 ...... PINTS WEST ...... Portishead pub update The White Hart, Weston in Gordano A couple of miles out of town on the Clevedon Road, you’ll find this old, village pub. It has recently been taken over and completely refurbished inside – sympatheti- cally in my view. The new landlord is Colin Royal, and he is aided by wife, Abby. Colin is the chef so you can expect that food will be high on the agenda although Courage Best and Butcombe Bitter are already available – with another ale expected soon. Thatcher’s helps look after the cider lovers and nine wines can by bought by the glass. The restaurant area is non-smoking and the menu will change regularly, with daily specials on the board, including fresh fish and a home- cooked pie. A two-course meal is available at £6.50 per person each weekday between noon and 3 p.m. To book a table, phone 01275 849478. Colin is from Sunderland but no translator is required if you listen carefully. The White Hart, Weston in Gordano

The Poacher, Royal Oak, The Black Horse, Portishead High Street West Hill Clapton in Gordano Landlord Mark continues to offer a good Following up the previous entry, the Oak When appreciating the benefits of this range of draught ales, the latest being Hobgob- continues to offer sharply-priced beverages. great pub, it’s impossible not to take into lin from Wychwood Brewery. At 5% ABV, On the cider front, draught Thatcher’s was account its services to our local cider-drinking this is a wonderful, dark, strong beer, perfectly only £1.70 a pint. On the other hand, a lovely community. A number of draught ciders were kept. On the cider side of things, by the time 500 ml bottle of Thatcher’s Gold was a steal at available and sampled when a reformed you read this, Ashton Press – made by £2. Will this be tempting to all those fashion- shandy-lover and I visited in September, Thatcher’s for Butcombe Brewery – should be conscious faddies currently drinking bottles of including Thatchers’ Dry and Black Rat (made on tap. It might be keg, but this is one of my Irish Cider? Sadly I doubt it. for Moles by Thatcher’s). Black Rat was our personal favourites – thanks Mark. A Sunday roast is available at the moment favourite on the night but all were gratefully on a carvery basis. received. Brewsters, Gordano Gate On the way in to the town from the Meet the Landlord motorway, you can find this fairly new Name: Vic Long, landlord of The Ship in development which includes accommodation at Portishead, a freehouse. a Premier Inn and children’s play areas. Age: 63. Although the main business of this place is Where from: Bristol, but moved to undoubtedly turning food over while keeping Portishead aged three (not by himself) and has the kids happy, they do provide one real ale, lived there since. Wadworth 6X. This was very drinkable when Pub history: Built in 1973. The pub over- I visited. There is also a comfortable side area looks the Bristol Channel and there are in the pub next to the entrance which is a good numerous pictures of ships, particularly naval. place to do your drinking if you want to hide Vic has been here since – with only occasional from the little people. trips outside. Previous pubs: The Kicking Donkey, The Ship, Brokerswood, Wiltshire. Other jobs: Rail and building industries. Coast Road to Clevedon Best thing about being a landlord: Working Just to start with, contrary to my previous for yourself. report, lunch is available on Sunday lunch- Worst thing: Red tape and paperwork. times. Landlord Vic is still in good form and is Favourite other pub: He hasn’t been to well aided by the automatic tipping contrap- another pub in eight years. He’s always tions he uses in his cellar, which tip the barrels working. gently as they empty. When I last paid a visit, Average hours worked in a week: 90. there were on show Bass, Butcombe Bitter, Last holiday: He hasn’t got a passport and Theakston’s Bitter and “Gale’s” Trafalgar Ale his last holiday was 21 years ago for his (brewed by Fuller’s now). The latter two were honeymoon, when the pub was closed for four tried and both were lovely. days. Neil Ravenscroft 24 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST and knowledgeable drinker that makes the event for me. What makes it is coming across the individuals who have never stepped away Bath Beer Festival from the mass-produced lager or cider, who come and ask questions, and who try some- OCTOBER 20th and 21st saw the Bath event the public from all over the British Isles, thing new, and go away wondering why they of the year, the 29th CAMRA Bath Beer though regrettably not all survived the journey have never tried it before. That’s why I really Festival. to Bath. Unfortunately one of these was a enjoy helping out at beer festivals and long As in previous years the event was held at ‘special’ created just for the festival. Rumour may they last. Next year’s is already in my the Pavilion, in the centre of Bath adjacent to has it that the ‘special’ did eventually clear in diary. It is on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th the sports centre. Ticket sales were similar to the cellar of a local pub. Local breweries were October, and if you can’t wait that long go to last year with over 2,200 sold and the organis- represented by the likes of Abbey Ales, Bath the Bristol festival next March or look up ers were mightily pleased that nobody turning Ales, Blindman’s, Bristol Beer Factory, other festivals on the CAMRA website. up at the door had to be turned away. As usual Keynsham, Milk Street, Moles and Matthews. Phill the Pint there were a few that did not show up but Matthews just missed the festival last year those who did were able to choose from a wide with their first brews hitting the streets just range of local, national and international beers after the festival. and ciders. For some inexplicable reason Another couple of breweries that I had not though they were not so thirsty this year and seen in Bath before were the Nailsworth Pub news only sunk 8,100 pints, just over three and a Brewery and the Small Paul Brewery. Small The Volunteer, New Street, St Judes, located half pints per punter. Paul is a completely new micro that has just behind the boarded-up Sevenways, has The range of ciders had been increased been started by Paul Smith of the Heart of reopened after refubishment and was selling from last year and included the Champion Wessex branch of CAMRA. The ‘Beer of the Bath Ales Gem and Courage Best on hand- Cider of Britain, Heck’s Kingston Black. The Festival’ was Hidden Potential, up from the pump when visited at the end of October. It ciders did very well and there was hardly any Hidden Brewery in Dinton, somewhere in was previously a very basic scrumpy house wastage at all. Gosh, I hope that the festival is darkest Wiltshire (almost local really). The and now with no draught cider is clearly aiming not going to become the Bath Cider festival, it head brewer is Gary Lumbar, who used to be for a change of image. does such strange and inexplicable things to at Oakhill before its demise. my mind and insides. Entertainment was provided during the The Old Lock and Weir, Hanham Mills has Internationally there were a number of two evening sessions. The Friday evening band changed hands from Fairways to JWR Inns bottled beers from Belgium and Holland and was Soul Commotion, who have played the and is now run by local Hanham people Karen unusually there was a German cask beer from a event for many years, and do the Commit- and Richard. The beer range has continued home-brew pub in Monchengladbach called ments style of soul music. The band on much as before but with the introduction of Stefanus. A pale beer called Kolsh (but with Saturday evening was a new four-piece called Otter Ale and Butcombe Bitter among the six some dots in the name somewhere) from the Cavalier. They’re regulars of the Royal Oak. real ales on offer. Addlestone’s cider is still Cologne region was also served. For me though it is not the bands, and it is available on handpump. Over 80 different beers were racked up for not the undoubted pleasure of the hardened Bob Ford

National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 25 ...... PINTS WEST ......

The Guide features a number of informative The Good Beer Guide 2007 articles on subjects including: THE 34th edition of the Campaign for # Guest Beer Right and “beer miles” Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide, edited by CAMRA is calling for the restoration of a award-winning beer writer Roger Protz, Guest Beer Right allowing tenants and pub is out now. The Good Beer Guide 2007 managers to order in a beer of their choice delivered is the number-one guide to pubs selling directly by the brewer. This scheme would apply fine quality real ale. From sophisticated to all companies with more than 30 pubs and city bars to cosy country inns, tiny off- would boost consumer choice and reduce thou- beat locals to grand architectural gems, sands of “beer miles” being traveled each year. with the Good Beer Guide you are # Loss of regional breweries and community never far from a decent pint of real ale. ownership The loss of regional breweries has reached The Good Beer Guide 2007 features: worrying proportions in recent years as larger # County-by-county guides to the best companies swallow up smaller competitors and real ale pubs. mergers and closures become more common. The success of the micro-brewery sector is encouraging # Descriptions of more than 600 real-ale but the threat to independent family-owned breweries across Britain. breweries, their pub estates and beers cannot be # 4,500 full pub entries to guide the ignored. CAMRA wants employees of breweries reader to Britain’s best beer and pubs, under threat of takeover or merger to be given the complete with beer listings, opening opportunity to purchase the brewery themselves hours, pub food, family facilities, through a co-operative. accommodation, and history. # Pub Food Jean-Christophe Novelli, Antony Worrall The Guide is compiled by over 3,000 Thompson, and most recently Gordon Ramsey – dedicated CAMRA volunteers. There are all are acclaimed and well-known chefs who have no fees for listings, and every pub is embraced pub food as the new premium dining checked throughout the year. experience. Priced at £14.99, the Good Beer # National Inventory: pub interiors of Guide 2007 is available from good book outstanding historical interest shops, or direct from CAMRA – order The Good Beer Guide 2007 features an yours by calling 01727 867201, or order updated list of CAMRA’s National Inventory online at www.camra.org.uk (saving up to Pubs, a pioneering effort to protect the most £4.99 if you are a CAMRA member). important historic pub interiors in the country. Bristol Beer Factory SOUTH Bristol’s very own beer festival, the Factoberfest, showcased 17 beers from local breweries recently. The annual event aims to raise the awareness of the local public to the great locally-produced beers we have in the area. Breweries featured this year were the Bristol Beer Factory (of course, as it’s their event!), Abbey Ales, Bath Ales, Cotswold Spring, Keynsham, Matthews, Newman’s, RCH, Severn Vale, Stroud, Uley, Wickwar and Zero Degrees. The event is growing in scale and plans are already being put into place for next Factoberfest photo by Richard Brooks year. availability and more details. Totterdown from 9th November onwards and The Bristol Beer Factory report that they They will also be launching a new-look in North Bristol it was expected to be available had a record month in October and were very website that will be up and running in a couple at the Prom, Gloucester Road and at the Robin glad of their two extra fermenting vessels of weeks (perhaps by the time you read this) Hood’s Retreat. recently installed. This included another brew and which will include a special offer on cases Richard Brooks of their award-winning Milk Stout, which was of their Brunale (while stocks last). Check it again a complete sell-out. Fortunately they are out at www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk. planning to bring it out again over the Christ- Brewdoko competition mas period. And finally, two local groups of artists For anyone that wants to order something commissioned the Bristol Beer Factory to THE winners of the brewdoku competion in from the Bristol Beer Factory, they will be produce a special ale for the Totterdown Arts the last issue of Pints West were CD Lovell selling their core brands – in the form of an 18- Trail on 17th, 18th and 19th November, and from Keynsmham and GH Hobbs from pint and 36-pint “bag in box” and also a 5-litre also the North Bristol Arts Trail on 24th, 25th Weston-super-Mare. Each receives a copy of mini-cask – during the run up to, and over, the and 26th November. The ‘Trail Ale’ will have The Bristol Teasure Island Trail, the book of Christmas period. Contact the brewery for been available at the Shakespeare in the Long John Silver Trust.

26 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST

Social ownership can Top TV chefs cook up a poncy – more bistro”. help save threatened Ready, Steady, Cook! star Phil Vickery grew storm in pubs up on Shepherd Neame beers in Kent and says: breweries “It worries me that the void between restaurant PUB grub is heading for the heights as some of food in so-called gastro-pubs and the basic A CALL for new forms of social ownership for the country’s top celebrity chefs are moving rubbish on offer in many pubs is so vast. What small breweries – including management buy-outs behind the bar, food writer Susan Nowak reports we miss is the simply-cooked, tasty, good-value- and co-operatives – is made by the editor of the in the Good Beer Guide 2007. for-money food that was once the backbone of a Good Beer Guide 2007. Roger Protz says the Antony Worrall Thompson, Jean- great pub.” cull of regional brewers must be stopped in order Christophe Novelli, Heston Blumenthal, Phil Vickery is making his own contribution to to ensure a good choice of beers for drinkers. Vickery and Roxy Beaujolais will soon be joined improving pub food by holding master classes for Protz said, “In the past year, Gale’s of by Gordon Ramsay, who plans to run a chain of pubs chefs and designing beers dishes for Hampshire, Ridley’s of Essex and Hardy’s & pubs that focus on good food. Shepherd Neame, such as lamb and mint cobbler Hanson’s of Nottingham have been taken over. Jean-Christophe Novelli left the swanky with Spitfire. Gale’s and Ridley’s have already been closed by Auberge du Lac in Hertfordshire to run the Australian-born Roxy Beaujolais has been their new owners, Fuller’s and Greene King, White Horse in nearby Harpenden. He says in chef to the Royal Shakespeare Company and while the future of Hardy’s & Hanson’s in the the Good Beer Guide 2007: “I think you are now runs two London pubs, the Seven Stars in hands of aggressively expanding Greene King is guaranteed to be more relaxed in a pub. I’m Carey Street and the Bountiful Cow in Eagle very much in doubt.” doing a lot of things I would not have permitted Street. She believes real ale is essential in a pub: “These companies could and should have myself before, but cooking should not be to a “I like what a handpump signifies. It’s a real, been saved. They are of the right size to be run formula.” live product. I like to stock Fuller’s and Young’s and owned by their management and workers or Two handpumps grace the bar of the White beers, Adnams from Suffolk and guest beers from turned into community co-ops. Horse and the cask ales accompany such such micros as Dark Star in Sussex.” “Management buy-outs can succeed. Bass “peasant dishes” as stuffed pigs’ trotters or She offers such dishes as steaks and freshly- sold its Highgate Brewery in Walsall to its oxtail braised with liquorice. Novelli’s menus are ground burgers, lamb steak with barley, Napoli management in 1995. The Old Crown pub in based on his experience in his native France and sausages with belly pork, and potted shrimps Hesket Newmarket, Cumbria, and its small from cooking in Keith Floyd’s former pub in with sourdough bread. Beer is used in such winter brewery were sold to the local community, who Devon. dishes as beef stews and game casserole. run both pub and brewery as co-ops.” Antony Worrall Thompson has a double Heston Blumenthal, renowned for his Roger Protz says that when breweries such as mission: not only to improve pub food but also scientific approach to cooking, has taken over Gale’s and Ridley’s are family-owned, with no to save village and community pubs. He now the Hind’s Head pub close to his famous stock market involvement, the families should runs the Lamb at Satwell in Oxfordshire and is restaurant, the Fat Duck in Bray. He says he offer the companies in the first instance to their also joint proprietor of the Angel in Heytesbury, wanted “neither a gastro-pub or some smart workforce. Wiltshire and the Greyhound in Rotherfield restaurant on a pub theme but traditional pub Protz explained: “There are advantages to Peppard. food listed on a blackboard.” families if they sell to the employees and allow In the guide he says: “So many pubs are Typical dishes include pea and ham soup, them to pay over a period of five years. Such an being sold off as private houses and the centres and Lancashire hotpot, washed down with a arrangement would mean the family could avoid of villages have been ripped out. I have Fuller’s choice of three real ales: Greene King IPA, a paying Capital Gains Tax. London Pride as a house beer but I also like to beer from the Rebellion Brewery in Marlow and “If the family demands the full amount up support local breweries, such as Brakspear, a guest beer. front then the employees would have to raise Butler’s and Loddon.” And now, with Gordon Ramsay about to the cash from loans or grants. They could seek Worrall Thompson says he loathes the term burst on the pub scene, pub grub may never be support from their trade unions or from local gastro-pub and has told his chefs to be “less the same again. authorities. “When a brewery is quoted on the Stock Exchange the employees should buy a 5% stake in the company and start to build a bigger stake The local launch over time until they have a sufficient shareholding to influence company policies.” THE Bristol & District branch held An example of how successful the suggested our local launch of the 34th edition practice can be is the John Lewis Partnership – of the Good Beer Guide at the Old which includes Selfridges and Waitrose. It is run Fish Market, Baldwin Street, and owned by its workers and is one of the Bristol on Friday 15 September. biggest retail groups in Britain. The son of the We would like to express our founder of the group gave the company to its thanks to manager Ben (pictured workers back in the 1920s. left with branch chairman Richard Several professional football clubs have been Brooks) and his team for their saved from going out of business by their assistance, Thai Tom’s excellent supporters. Brentford, Chesterfield, Rushden & food and of course the fine Fuller’s Diamonds and Stockport County are now owned ale that was on sale. and run by their supporters, while a supporters’ The GBG contains information trust is now part-owner of Lincoln City. about pub facilities for families and Protz added: “It would be naïve to suggest the disabled, history, architecture, that running a professional football club is food, accommodation, local places analogous to owning and controlling a brewery. of interest and, of course, the beer: the best If you would like to assist us in our never- But a common factor is that they both have pubs serving the finest real ale in the country. ending quest to find the best real ale pubs, loyal fan bases. Trusts involving both brewery Unique to the Guide is a list of every brewery please come along to a branch meeting. You employees, pub tenants and drinkers could play a in the country, large and small, with details of can buy a copy of the Good Beer Guide from crucial role in saving local breweries for their all the cask-conditioned and bottle-conditioned us at a branch meeting, from some good pubs communities and protecting them from beers they brew, with professional tasting and direct from www.camra.org.uk. takeovers and closures.” notes. Richard Brooks National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 27 ...... PINTS WEST ...... Temple Ale Quest IT was the end of October and the demolished in 1808. Ye Shakespeare in Victoria Although bombed in the war, Bath Beer Festival was over a On the left as we climb the Street is an old inn that claims to the dramatic lean of the tower week ago and now Halloween was approach to Temple Meads have been first licensed in 1636 occurred shortly after it was built upon us again. With the kids station is the Empire and (according to FG Jones, the in 1460 due to the marshy ground preparing for ‘Trick or Treat’ it Commonwealth museum, situated Bristol historian) although there is of the area. The foundations were was time for a treat of our own, in in Brunel’s original station and no mention of it in the 1775 then strengthened and a further this case, a tour of the Temple famous as the venue for the directory. section added to the tower that area of Bristol. The area gets its Bristol Beer Festival. In the premises at the back, leans at a different angle again. It name from the Knights Templar, We cut through Brunel Shed the pub used to brew its own ale. is 1.64 meters out of vertical on who were granted the land in 1147 to avoid platform 9¾ and head to This 17th-century house still the west face, but after a few by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, son the new commercial office blocks retains an atmosphere of the past. drinks both towers appear to lean of Henry I. through the now deserted concrete It is a lively pub with loud music away from each other. plazas in search of the Knights Templar.

The Knights Templar was a society of soldier monks who defended the Holy Sepulchre and protected pilgrims on their journeys to the Holy Lands and have had a high profile of late, due mainly to Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Reckless Engineer Code, and more recently King’s Head Seven Stars Raymond Khoury’s The Last Our first stop was the Templar and David Gibbins’ and was selling Marston’s Wicked The Cornubia in Temple Reckless Engineer, a pub Crusader Gold. Witch and a nice drop of Greene Street is still closed. A casualty of situated at the bottom of the Thankfully it is also a King Abbot Ale. the Smiles mess, this old pub was incline leading to Temple Meads Wetherspoon’s pub and their famous with real ale drinkers for station and a new entry in the October “Full Moon” beer Twenty yards down the road the wide range of changing beers it 2007 Good Beer Guide. The pub festival is nearly over. It looks is the King’s Head, another sold. Hopefully someone will take was previously known as the like the 10-day event was a ancient building that survived the on the lease of this pub soon. Isambard Brunel, a name success as the festival ales have Blitz and the post-war council It is suggested that the name momentarily re-appearing when almost run out, with only planners. Cornubia is of Cornish origin, and earlier in the year the pub sign Everard’s Pitch Black left from The King’s Head has been in that it is a Latinised form of was taken down during the original tasting notes. The CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for Cornwall, so maybe the first refurbishment. Pitch Black is a rich stout, and as long as I can remember, and owner was a Cornishman. The Otter Bitter (3.6%) and having already tried it at the deservedly it is also on CAM- Butcombe Bitter (4.0%) were Commercial Rooms last week, we RA’s National Inventory of The Seven Stars is situated both fine, but the Dorothy dive into the other ales brought in Heritage Pubs. The building in a narrow lane leading from St. Goodbody’s at 4.2% was to bolster the beer list. appears 18th-century and the Thomas Street to Redcliffe Street excellent – a golden coloured ale The Rooster’s Special (3.9%) inside décor is probably 1920’s. and is another old pub with with a hint of caramel from the is a tasty straw-coloured beer that The long narrow bar has a historic connections. It was here Wye Valley brewery. goes down well while we order a tramcar-shaped snug, but the in 1787 that the anti-slavery most noticeable feature is the campaigner, Thomas Clarkson, beautiful dresser casement behind conducted many of the interviews the bar, where the polished with the Bristol slave captains glasses sparkle in the reflections because the owner was sympa- from the old mirrors and each thetic to the anti-slavery move- section is labelled “Jamaica Rum”, ment. There was so much of “Mineral Waters”, etc. Bristol’s money tied up in the There are four ales on tonight, trade that Clarkson placed himself and all are in good condition – at great personal risk in conduct- Bath Ales Gem, Wadworth 6X, ing the interviews here. Knights Templar Ye Shakespeare Courage Best and Sharp’s Doom The current owners have been Bar. there for two months now, and This pub hosts live music hot baguette. The Hanby Ales are keen to promote the pub with Fridays and Saturdays (with free Rainbow Chaser (4.3%), We leave the King’s Head by some interesting guest ales due to entry to CAMRA members). Springhead Oliver’s Army (4.4%) the back door into Church Lane make an appearance before We cross Temple Gate at the and Campbell, Hope & King’s where the blitzed remains of Christmas. The Bath Ales lights. This road was named after Double Amber (4.6%) are also Temple Church stand. Barnstormer and the Timothy the Civil War gate that was good and wash down an excellent The first Temple church was Taylor Landlord were both good. situated off to the left at the end cheese baguette. round, and only its foundations Colin & Pennie Postlethwaite of Temple Street in the Port Wall, We leave this commercial area exist. The earliest part surviving (Photos by Duncan Shine) and through which Kings and of Temple and head down today is 14th-century, but the Queens would have passed on Victoria Street to the next majority of the remains are 15th- their way to Bristol. It was concentration of pubs. century.

28 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST seating areas, and heaters the public spaces in the establishments not only got larger but were READERS’ LETTERS considered more comfortable that the condi- tions inside. Readers are welcome to send The funny thing is that many of the non- Public House, Barrow Gurney letters to Pints West Editor, smokers now join their smoking cousins in the gardens and sometimes the balance of the Steve Plumridge, patrons on a warm night is outside. Real Ales: Garden Flat, 6 Royal York Villas, The ironic thing about the rule was that 6X Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JR shortly after the smoking laws were intro- Henry’s IPA [email protected] duced, people started to complain about body Bishop’s Tipple odour in the pubs and bars. This lead to many Wadworth seasonals establishments adding expensive air-condition- Lovely Bass Dear Steve, ing systems or at least running their existing My daughter Kate and I have been systems to the maximum capacity. Perhaps, if Beautiful Butcombe licensees of the Prince’s Motto in Barrow they had done this in the first place, then there would have been no need for a ban in the first Good honest home-cooked food Gurney for three years and are avid supporters Monday to Friday lunchtimes of CAMRA. instance. Whilst being in the Good Beer Guide, we Still we have great outside places to visit Give us a try now. seem to miss some of the visits of real ale Dave & Kate Dinham pundits in the area. We are tenants of Regards, Prince’s Motto, Barrow Street, Wadworth and offer 6X, Henry’s IPA, Lee Dare Barrow Gurney 01275 472282 Bishop’s Tipple (landlord’s favourite) and (by email from New Zealand). Wadworth’s seasonal beers such as Old Timer, Summersault and Malt ’n’ Hops. We also offer Guest ale rotation comes my way. Bristol Beer Factory No. 7 is Bass and Butcombe for which the pub has Steve, always available as well. always had a great reputation, and also Many thanks for that small write-up in Once again many thanks, I’ll keep you Weston’s cider, traditional and organic. Pints West 70 (the paragraph on Racks in the updated with anything else of interest. We have improved the garden facilities and Shine on Sport article - Ed) . We are very Kevin Wright, redecorated internally. Quiz nights are a regular appreciative of the recognition that we have Racks, St Paul’s Road, occurrence and we have table skittles and always kept good real ale – even if our general Clifton, Bristol. darts. Home-cooked food is available lunch- clientèle prefer something colder with no taste! [email protected] times only between noon and 2.30, Monday to On the back of interest raised by the Friday. article, we decided to offer a ‘guest ale The ID state Whilst we could turn the pub quite easily rotation’ to our region’s brewers – each Steve, into a food house, we intend to stay with being brewery is offered a month’s exposure, and we Not even our beer is safe from the ID very much wet led. You can be sure of a warm try where possible to select seasonal brews. state! Have you seen that Yeovil, Taunton welcome and a good pint every time at the This has been a great success (and gives me the and Swindon are among the places getting the Motto, in between the A38 and A370. chance to try something different as well!). ID state scheme to register pub-goers’ names, Best regards, To date we have had beers including addresses, dates of birth and finger prints? Dave and Kate Dinham Wickwar Sunny Daze, Bristol Beer Factory See www.no2id.net/news/newsletters/ Prince’s Motto Sunrise, Bath Ales Wild Hare, Sharp’s Eden newsletter.php?issue=58 for more details. Barrow Gurney. Ale, Otter Bright and Newman’s Wolver’s Best wishes, Ale. Also likely to appear will be beers from MJ Ray Smoke-free pubs Matthews, and anything else interesting that (by email). Dear Editor, I thought I should write to you. Even though I am well out of your catchment area and readership zone as I am living in Auckland, Pints Away Up North New Zealand, you may be pleased to know that a copy of your Spring 2006 magazine THE 2007 edition of the Good Beer Guide village of Nether Kellet, the Limeburner’s managed to pass my way today. arrived at home the day before I set off for my Arms and well worth a detour to find. The Referring to your lead article, “Real planned trip to Yorkshire and Lancashire and Limeburner’s is a throwback to pubs of old. smoking ban” by Richard Brooks, we intro- was never far from the car seat behind me. I No frills, no food, no music, just good chat, duced the smoking ban (here in New Zealand) can say that the GBG descriptions of the pubs dominoes and ales from the barrel behind the at the start of last summer and all the usual that I found were spot on, as were good ales serving hatch. Not at all a family-friendly pub objections were raised by all, including me, and such as Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and as many try to be these days, but full of I am a non-smoker. Jennings’ Cumberland Ale. character and characters. Two older men, both The mutterings of “this will never work”, Just to mention two of several pubs I with much younger ladies in tow, were publicans declaring that they’ll fight the visited, the first was in the City of York, the providing the banter with Joe the publican and legislation in the courts and on the beaches, Minster Inn at 34 Marygate, which was very local farmer who has run the Limeburner’s for punters claiming that they will defy the law welcoming and, because of the small size of the many years with his brother. The ceiling had and smoke where they want to and the analyst front bar, no one was excluded from the general been replastered that day, for probably the claims of the demise of the hospitality conversation. It is very close to the Minster first time in the pub’s history, and so the industry largely petered out to nothing. and City Museum, so well worth finding and chairs and tables were all clean having had to Because of the timing of the law most joining in the chat of the day. I found myself be dusted in anticipation of evening opening kiwis were quite happy to stand outside in the chatting with a lorry driver and a philosophy time. I think there might be a slight typo in sunshine and warmth supping a beer. In fact lecturer as well as the genial host behind the the GBG here as we are told that on Sundays all the tired old beer gardens and pavements bar. A thoroughly enjoyable visit. the Limeburner’s is open from 12 to 2am, but that were previously unused had been spruced The second pub I describe here is just off who knows, and I’m not likely to want to go up and with a great indoor/outdoor flow, junction 35 of the M6 near Carnforth in the there after midnight anyway! John Phillips National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 29 ...... PINTS WEST ...... A visit to Krakow and Berlin ... and a few IN late spring this year, Easyjet announced that take tea and coffee with you, and to buy some were virtually no pubs in the city and no draught it would be launching several new routes from basic breakfast foodstuffs on arrival, and you do beer at all. Sadly many of the bars that he had Bristol in July. The one that caught my eye was save a fortune over hotel bills. singled out in his guide seemed to have reduced to Krakow in Poland. I had heard that this was a Our flight departed at 08.00 and we were in their range of draught and bottled beers, often wonderful city, and had yet to visit Poland. A Poland by 11.00 local time. We found our introducing such delights as Carlsberg, Grolsch or few hours on the internet and a plan was formed! apartment via a train and taxi (both very cheap) Stella instead. Several had changed their names I discovered that I could put together a twin- and whilst it was much less modern and colourful and images, and two seemed closed – not clear centre holiday by flying from Bristol to Krakow than it had looked on the net, it served our whether temporarily or permanently though. for three nights, then on to Berlin (also with purposes well enough. It was a flat on the top Polish beer is renowned as being of good quality Easyjet) for three more nights, before returning floor of an old-fashioned office block, but was and no little strength, but the bars of Krakow from Berlin to Bristol. Incredibly, all three only about four minutes’ walk from the main seem reluctant to promote it these days. In flights came to almost exactly £100 each square and close to bus and tram routes. particular the strong porter-style beers that I had including all taxes and charges! A few phone Before departing we had researched the local read much about were hard to locate. There calls later and we had a group of five people up beer scene and found the best information on a were a few in bottles, but we only found one for the trip. When we came to book the flights, website that I have used previously and find very example on draught. This came in the Fischer departing Monday September 11, it transpired useful. It is a very ambitious attempt to provide Pub in Ul. Grodzka, a street just off the main that the price jumped by about £60 a head if we on-line beer and pub guides to all major Euro- square. This is where we finally located draught flew home on the Sunday, so we settled for two pean cities by an exiled Brit called Ron Zywiec Porter, a world famous black beer nights in Berlin and a Saturday flight back. Pattinson, who lives in Amsterdam. Ron freely weighing in at around 9.5%. Several late night Amusingly we got an email about three weeks admits that much of the information is a bit visits to this well-hidden deep cellar-bar followed before the trip telling us the Saturday flight was dated and is delighted to receive updates from and no sleeping pills were needed later! A truly cancelled and offering the Sunday one for the returning visitors. Indeed my name is now wonderful beer worth seeking out. The Zywiec same price. Naturally we accepted! Even more liberally sprinkled across his Krakow guide as lager was pretty pleasant too. amusingly we have since been offered a £25 proof! We found a few other bars with half decent voucher off of our next flight as compensation To use his guide simply visit ranges, but no draught porters sadly. Surprisingly for the cancellation and two of us are off to www.europeanbeerguide.net and select a city. the many bar-restaurants in the main square Glasgow soon for £7.98 return as a result! Isn’t All places have an interesting and informative seemed to carry a few good beers, whilst they it nice when things work out so well? Our party introduction and plentiful photographs too. I hadn’t yet developed the habit of doubling up consisted of me, my wife, two Phils and Di. simply printed the pages off and used it as a basis prices just because they are in the touristy bit Another trawl around the internet and we for our drinking in Krakow. Ron is also not one (unlike so many other cities throughout Europe). had come up with city centre apartments in both to mince his words – if he doesn’t like some- Indeed prices were very consistent at around 4 to Krakow and Berlin that each slept five people. thing he makes it plain, which is something that 6 Zloty (about £1) for 500ml of any beer and The Berlin apartment worked out at around £16 all the best reviewers do. anything from 15 to 35 Zloty for a decent main per night each, and the Krakow one a mere £10 Ron’s guide had warned us in advance that course. Hardly expensive for UK visitors. each. Although you feel as though you are Krakow’s pubs were an odd bunch. He said that Service was also consistent – usually indifferent taking a bit of a leap of faith booking such they all seemed to be in dark cellar-bars a long and often surly! places, I have now done this in Prague, Budapest, way below ground, and they almost all were. He Saving the best for last though, there was Krakow and Berlin without major problems (I’ll said too that there seemed to be very few people one pub that stood out head and shoulders above let Phil tell you about a large hiccup in Berlin over 25 drinking in them, and he was right about all others – the C.K. Browar in Ul. Podwale 6- later in the article though!). It is no trouble to that too. Apparently before the 1980s there 7. This was about two minutes’ walk from the main square, not far from the impressive castle and next to a major tram junction. Situated in the basement of the “Elephant” department store, but only one short flight of steps down, this is a quite splendid brew-pub – the only one in town as far as we know. It consists of a bar, separate small restaurant and a nightclub. Four excellent home-brews are sold plus a couple of other beers. The beers were all tried with the Ginger beer (“Ingwer”) being unanimously declared the best. A Pilsner, a Wheat beer and a Dunkel (dark) beer are also brewed. Amusingly you could attain a reduced price by buying a “Pipe” of any one beer. The pipe consists of an enormous contraption. With a heavy metal base and a very tall cylindrical glass container full of beer, which holds no less than 3.3 litres. It is dispensed via a beer tap near the base (see picture). In addition to great beer, the C.K. sells very high-quality meals at very fair prices – and you can eat in the bar if you prefer. The service was also by far the most efficient and friendly that we experienced in Krakow. We visited several times between Monday and Wednesday and the place was pretty busy (mainly with locals), in stark contrast to all of the other bars we tried which were quiet. I would imagine that 30 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST

after several hours were becoming increasingly of a litre of Kolsch (which immediately went up beers to boot irate, not helped by the owner having giving us a 3 Euros in price!) we moved on to nearby wrong telephone number! We retired to nearby Aufsturz, with its range of over 100 bottled it must be overrun at weekends. Brauhas Mitte to think over our situation beers. Last stop was Georgebrau, near Krakow really is a beautiful place and well when he finally contacted us, three and a half Alexanderplatz, a rather soulless and dull brew- worth visiting, but it is also within reach of hours after we had arrived! Not withstanding this pub we thought. several other places worth seeing. Phil had done lack of the traditional teutonic efficiency from Our last full day commenced with a search some research and pre-booked us on a visit to our host, the apartment was fine, excepting for an emergency dentist for Diane, before we the Auschwitz-Birkenau former concentration noise from the giant building site opposite! went our separate ways, Phil and I doing a camp complexes. This cost us around £18 each So equipped with the excellent CAMRA walking tour of infamous Nazi sites, whilst Vince and included minibus travel on the 50 mile each Good Beer Guide Germany, we set out to seek and the ladies went shopping. We reunited at way trip and a full guided tour with an English refreshment, starting at Alt Berliner Brewbaker, a very modern brew-pub with a speaking guide. Whilst the subject matter is Weissbierstube, near the Rotes Rathaus (red gastropub-style menu, just outside Bellevue undeniably grim it really was a hugely absorbing town hall), where we tried the traditional station. The friendly owner brought us out an experience which brought home the full horror Berliner Weisse, an unusual sour wheat beer, excellent cheeseboard, and the beer was excel- of what took place there, in a way that no film usually served red (with a dash of raspberry lent; a sour wheat beer so impressed Vince that could. We would recommend that you do this syrup), or green (with woodruff!) and then he still raves about it! trip if you visit Krakow. We also visited the moved on to the delightful Zum Nussbaum, a Brew-pub Lemke was our next stop; it is incredible salt mines at Wielickza, a small town recreation of Berlin’s oldest pub, located in the part of an astonishingly busy group of bars and about 15 miles away. This time we ignored the Nikolaikirche, a recreation of medieval Berlin. restaurants built into the arches at Hackescher official trips and found our way by train (about Schulthiess Black Lager was a particular treat Markt station. Again like Brewbaker, the brewer £2 return instead of the £15 asked by the here. Finally we popped into Zur Letzen is adventurous by German standards, and the minibus operators!). The mines are a truly Instanz (The Last Judgement), which is widely Copper Ale in particular was much enjoyed, after incredible achievement – a whole practising accepted to be Berlin’s oldest pub – it’s the place a torturously long wait for service at this very cathedral and many other items have been where foreign dignitaries are taken by the busy bar. The food was not such a success – carved out of salt around 600 feet below ground! government to see traditional Berlin! It was very many of the bars we visited including this one There is also a concert hall, conference centre foody, but we visited late on as drinkers and were had English menus, but sometimes something and fully operational bar and restaurant down made welcome. We were pleased we were staying seemed to be lost in translation, Vince’s “Crispy there! A guided tour is compulsory at around £10 near the 368-metre tall Fernsehturm (radio Pork” being covered in fat and less than crispy! each, in English. You return to the surface via tower), which provided an excellent orientation Last stop again was close to home, after an amusing miners’ lift but the walk down over point on our travels! another visit to Mitte as we popped into 600 steps is gruelling at times. Another amazing The next day was mostly put aside for Marcus Brau, a fantastic small brew-pub, again experience though. tourist stuff, and we started on a river/canal only a short walk form Alexanderplatz. A By the Wednesday it was time to fly on to cruise, where we had Berliner Weisse and, of friendly atmosphere was aided by a large group Berlin and so it’s over to Phil for part two of course, sausages! Afterwards we visited of merry locals singing away. The home-made the trip. Lindenbrau, a brew-pub in the ultra modern liqueurs brought the evening to a perfect close. Vince Murray and impressive Sony centre at Potsdamer Platz. We had a fantastic three days, but really Here we had a metre of the house beers – only scratched the surface of Berlin – we never basically a long wooden tray with space for eight really got into the west of the city at all, and small glasses; we had two of each of the four there are countless other sights to see. So a flight house beers. We visited the Brandenburg Gate home from Schonefeld next day, and we and the Reichstag, gaining excellent views from reflected that it seemed like two weeks since we the roof and dome of the latter. Throughout our had left Bristol for Krakow. If only more visit we were able to take advantage of Berlin’s holidays could be like this. superb public transport – Phil Cummings a day ticket allowing travel on bus, trams, underground and overground trains for The Bag O’Nails £3.40 – another 141 St. George’s Road, Hotwells, Marilyn was in charge of pouring reminder of how shamefully we are Bristol BS1 5UW Tel: (0117) 9406776 treated in Britain and WE chose to stay in the Eastern centre of Bristol in particular. Berlin. At this point I have to admit that this So we trooped off to A Real Ale Pub location was influenced by the proximity of the intriguing Berliner many of the cities best pubs and brew-pubs! Republik, just over the Bristol & District CAMRA Berlin is a vast, dynamic city, but a word of bridge from Pub Of The Year 2000 warning to the visitor – it is basically a gigantic Friedrichstrasse station. building site, the fall of the infamous wall and Uniquely, after 6pm Host to two beer festivals a year reinstatement of Berlin as Germany’s capital here the beer prices go presenting many opportunities to knock down up and down according in April and November crumbling buildings, many in the East. to demand like on a Our apartment was two minutes’ walk from stock exchange, the At least 12 different real ales a week Alexanderplatz, and would have been easy to information being Imported German wheat beers find if the apartment’s owner had informed us displayed on large video that the week prior to our arrival the whole English bottle-conditioned beers screens! Occasional Unpasteurised imported bottled lagers street had been renumbered! Without this vital price crashes enliven the Email : [email protected] information we failed to find our apartment and scene! After polishing National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 31 ...... PINTS WEST ...... Do you think it is right that at least 26 pubs are closing every month? Christmas Gift At least 26 pubs close every month and most beer law which will give licensees the right to of these are local community pubs which are serve a guest beer of their choice and will Membership Offers often run down by their owners and turned improve the accessibility of real ale in British into private houses for a quick profit. Many pubs. IT is always difficult to decide what to buy communities no longer have a pub and family and friends at Christmas. Look no CAMRA is acting through initiatives such as CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is a further! CAMRA is offering a variety of Gift the Community Pubs Foundation consumer group that was formed in 1971 to Membership Packages that can be enjoyed (www.communitypubs.org) and Pub is the campaign to keep real ale alive. Thirty-five by Dad, Mum, Brother and even Aunt Flo! Hub (www.pubisthehub.org.uk) to help stop years later we now have over 84,000 discern- unnecessary pub closures. The next one under ing members and there are now more than 600 ! Single membership with tie and bottle threat could be your local! real ale breweries brewing over 2,500 different opener key-ring – £30 varieties of real ale in Britain. over 10% discount – usually retails at 9 out of 10 pints served contain less than £33.45 including postage 100% liquid. CAMRA achievements: Consumers lose over a million pounds a day We have had many successes over the years This package offers CAMRA membership due to short measure! We are lobbying the which include: for a year, a nicely designed blue silk CAMRA Government to change the law so you get what ! Being instrumental in allowing pubs to open tie and bottle opener key-ring. This is the ideal you pay for – a full pint every time. longer to suit the local community. gift for any male in the family. ! Running a powerful campaign that helped 6 out of 10 pubs are prevented from serving the introduction of small brewers’ relief which ! Single membership with a Good a guest beer of their choice. enabled many small breweries to invest money Bottled Beer Guide 6th Edition and bottle Two-thirds of pubs are restricted to selling into their operations and become more viable. opener key-ring – £25 beers brought from the brewery or pub ! Working with many local communities to 33% discount – usually retails at £33.44 company to which they are tied. CAMRA is save hundreds of community pubs from including postage campaigning for the introduction of a guest closure. ! Organising over 150 beer festivals a year The second package is aimed at members including the Great British Beer Festival, of the family or friends that enjoy bottled real which saw over 66,000 people visit this year ale whether it be in a pub or in the comfort of at Earls Court. his or her own home. A year’s CAMRA About Bath ! Having over 5,000 volunteers who give up membership and the new Good Bottled Beer their time to survey pubs, work at beer Guide – which is the bible for all aficionados of IT is strange sometimes how one gets to hear real ale in a bottle and profiles nearly 800 about snippets of news. Late this summer I got festivals and actively campaign for real ale and back from lunch to find a colleague admiring his pubs. bottle-conditioned beers – is a great match. new rugby shirt proclaiming Abbey Ales The bottle opener key-ring finishes off this sponsorship. On closer questioning I found that To read about more of CAMRA’s successes ideal gift package! it is the Bath Touch Rugby team who are the please visit www.camra.org.uk. representative team of the Bath In2Touch ! Single membership with Good Beer League and entrants in this year’s UK Cup in Join CAMRA today! Guide 2007 – £28 London. A most appropriate sporting sponsor- If you care about these issues and would like over 20% discount – usually retail at ship for a Bath brewer. to help make a difference then join CAMRA £34.49 including postage This reminded me of the amusing incident of the rugby shirt at the Royal Oak in Bath. Too today! For less than £1.70 a month you can many brain cells have gone to allow me to join over 84,000 members across Britain and Every beer lover’s idea gift for Christmas! remember the exact event but the landlord John help to campaign for quality real ale and good A year’s CAMRA membership and a copy of Whinnerah was pictured wearing the London pubs. As a member you will also receive the CAMRA’s best selling Good Beer Guide Irish rugby shirt (may he not be forgiven, he following: which profiles the best 4,500 pubs in Britain. keeps wearing it), which for those who know has ! A monthly colour newspaper informing you a prominent Irish drinks manufacturer’s logo. on beer and pub news and detailing events and ! Single membership with Big Book of Much to our amusement this had strangely beer festival around the country Beer – £28 disappeared when the photo was reproduced in ! Reduced entry prices (or free beer) to over over 20% discount – usually retails at What’s Brewing, CAMRA’s national newspaper. John should be put in the stocks for wearing it 150 beer festivals, including the Great British £34.49 including postage around here anyway. Beer Festival. Also worth mentioning are the two beer ! The chance to join CAMRA / Brewery The final gift package offers a year’s festivals that are planned by the Royal Oak. Complimentary Clubs that are exclusive to CAMRA membership and a copy of the From 11th to 16th December there will be an CAMRA members. These clubs offer fantastic Big Book of Beer. This book organic beer festival. As has been mentioned members a variety of promotions including includes everything you need to know about before the Royal Oak is experimenting with an free pint vouchers, brewery trips, competi- beer including its history and traditions and idea that I first heard of at the Old Green Tree. tions and merchandise offers. explains in depth who brews the beer and the This is to keep a firkin of strong beer for a year ! Discounts on CAMRA books including the breweries that produce it, from the UK to before opening. The Old Green Tree does this with a strong dark beer, I think it is Mr Good Beer Guide. Europe and beyond! Perrett’s, but the Royal Oak is trying Butts ! And much more... Coper. This is an organic beer and may well be If you are interested in purchasing a broached during the festival. The second festival To join today, complete the necessary Christmas Gift Offer then please call 01727 is planned for the new year and will be a winter information in the form opposite, visit 867201 or visit www.camra.org.uk/shop. beer festival during early February. www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call our HQ on Please note that postage is free for these Happy daze. Phill the Pint 01727 867201. promotional offers. 32 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST

Pints West (Bristol & District) – edition 72

National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 33 ...... PINTS WEST ...... PINTS WEST Weston diary Diary # Thursday 21 December - 8th Annual brought to you Seasonal Ales Crawl. Depart from Raglan Diary of the Bristol & District branch of Arms at 8.30 (get there as early as you like!) entirely by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. and visiting pubs in Weston town centre (For more information on local events offering a Christmas or Winter beer. Bristol unpaid volunteers either attend our branch meetings or visitors very welcome – last trains back to check the diary section on our web site at Bristol from Weston at 22.26 and 23.32. Eight thousand copies of Pints West are www.camrabristol.org.uk.) # Wednesday 17 January - Worle Crawl. Ebdon Arms 8.00-8.45, then Nut Tree, Old distributed free to pubs in and around the # Wednesday 6th December - Committee Kings Head, Woodspring and Lamb. cities of Bristol and Bath ... and beyond. meeting, Old Fish Market, Bristol. Start 8pm. # Friday 16 Feb - GBG survey trip. Bus LETTERS: please email any correspondence to: # Thursday 7th December - Clifton crawl. trip visiting six current/potential Good Beer [email protected] Start Richmond Spring, 7.30pm. Guide pubs. Trip will finish at the Crown, or post it to: # Sunday 10th December - Christmas Churchill. Depart Off The Rails at 7.00 sharp. Pints West Editor, Steve Plumridge, Christmas Social, Cross Hands, Fishponds, Book ticket in advance from Mike Coleman on Garden Flat, 6 Royal York Villas, from 6pm. There may be special travel 631441. Cost £6. Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JR. arrangements laid on. # Wednesday 21 Feb - Highbridge Crawl. Published by the Bristol & District Branch of # Thursday 14th December - Bristol pub Train from Weston at 18.27. Approximate the Campaign for Real Ale, November 2006 © crawl. Starting point to be arranged. itinerary: 19.15-19.40 the Crossways Inn, Next edition: sometime Feb 2007 (probably). # Wednesday 10th January - Branch West Huntspill; 19.55-20.45 the Royal Reproduction: any written article in this meeting, Horts City Tavern, Bristol. Start Artillery; 21.00-21.25 Highbridge Social Club; publication may be reproduced provided the 8pm. 21.30-21.55 the George; 22.00-22.40 the source (Pints West), including the contributor’s # Sunday 7th January (probably) - Annual # Coopers Arms. Train back at 22.45. name where applicable, is stated. (No using Westbury Wobble. Pub crawl in Westbury- Non-members welcome at all of the logos or pictures without prior permission.) on-Trym. Start noon – first pub yet to be above events. Subscriptions: to be put on a mailing list (for decided. UK addresses) send a cheque for £2.50 only to # Tuesday 16th January - GBG Survey the editor, made payable to “Steve Plumridge” Trip. Depart from Cornubia, 6.45pm. Weston contact (or some 2nd class stamps up to that value). # Wednesday 24th January - Committee Tim Nickolls – 01934 644925 (evenings) CAMRA Good Beer Guide: suggestions for meeting, Old Fish Market, Bristol. Start 8pm. or email [email protected] future entries, and comments on existing ones, # Tuesday 30th January - GBG Survey can be made to our GBG co-ordinator, Vince Trip. Depart from Cornubia, 6.45pm. Murray, care of the editor (above). # Wednesday 7th February - Committee Further information on all aspects of meeting, Old Fish Market, Bristol. Start 8pm. Crowned at last CAMRA can be had from Ray Holmes on # Wednesday 14th February - GBG 0117 - 9605357 (home). Survey Trip. Depart from Cornubia, 6.45pm. Trading Standards Officers: contact # Wednesday 21st February - Branch numbers for problems such as consistent short meeting, Naval Volunteer, King Street, measures, no price lists... Bristol. Start 8pm. Bristol: 0117 9223444 S. Glos: 01454 624000 THANKS TO THIS ISSUE’S Glos: 01452 426201 N. Somerset: 01934 632026 CONTRIBUTORS B.A.N.E.S: 01225 396755 Andrew Swift Bob Ford Colin Postlethwaite Duncan Shine ADVERTISE IN Dave McVittie Dr John PINTS WEST John Merriman Your pub / Your business John Phillips Your brewery / Your beer festival Kirsten Elliott Lesly Huxley 8,000 copies printed quarterly and Maggie Wilkes distributed to hundreds of pubs Margaret Evett Mark Steeds throughout the region BETTER late than never was the sentiment Neil Ravenscroft when branch members headed to the Crown at Also available on-line from Pennie Postlethwaite Churchill on 1st November to make a slightly www.bristolcamra.org.uk Pete Dommett Phil Cummings belated presentation. Contact the editor, Steve Plumridge Phill the Pint Although the 2006 Pub Of The Year Email [email protected] Richard Brooks competition was won by the Inn on the Green, Robin E Wild the Crown has once again achieved “runner- Current rates are: Tim Nickolls up” position, making it one of the most 6cm x 6cm £34 / colour £65 Vince Murray consistently popular finalists in recent years. 6cm x 8cm £43 / colour £85 Editor: Steve Plumridge This consistent performance could well be 9cm x 8cm £56 / colour £110 down to the fact that Tim Rogers (pictured 9cm x 12cm £78 / colour £150 # Views expressed in Pints West are 19cm x 12cm £156 / colour £300 those of the individual authors and right receiving his certificate from branch / colour on back page £400 not necessarily supported by CAMRA chairman Richard Brooks) has now been # Inclusion of an advertisement does successfully running the Crown for 22 glorious Full back page in colour £775 not imply endorsement by CAMRA years. Richard Brooks 34 Local CAMRA web site : www.camrabristol.org.uk ...... P...... INTS WEST The Coeur De Lion - a window on Bath’s smallest pub SITUATED in Northum- – Devenish announced berland Place, which that it was investigating a leads off the High Street, possible disposal, just up from the Abbey placing serious question and opposite the marks over its future as a Guildhall is Bath’s public house. smallest pub, The Coeur However a new De Lion. landlord was subse- Northumberland quently appointed and Place was originally all seemed well under known as Marchants Stephen Shearing until Court, and was described Devenish announced by John Wood as three years later that the “entirely new” in 1749. Coeur De Lion was to A woodcarver called close. A large petition William Batt acquired a from the regulars and license to sell beer around support from local MP 1860 at number 4 Chris Patten, the Northumberland Place Preservation Society, the (across the road from the Georgian Trust and the Coeur). A few years later Council, saw plans to he named his beer house turn it into a shop the Avondale Stores and rejected. we assume he bought his One of the striking beer from the Avondale features of this Victorian Brewery at Batheaston. pub is a stained glass Around 1880, after many changes of licensee, decided it made more sense to move the Coeur front window which, ironically, features the it was re-christened the Coeur De Lion – a De Lion across the road to where it is now name of Devenish, which was thwarted in its very unusual choice which has baffled many, situated. attempt to close the pub. as this is, as far as we know, the only pub of Many years later the Devenish brewery Today, the Coeur de Lion is now thriving this name in the country, and possibly the acquired the pub, which now held a full under the ownership of the Abbey Ales whole of the UK. license. In 1987, on the retirement of licensee brewery, operators of that other classic Bath In 1886 Stoffel and Co, grocers, who by Dennis Thomas – and in light of the high pub, the Star Inn – and is still going strong. then owned most of Northumberland Place, prices that property in Bath was then fetching Devenish, meanwhile, has ceased to exist.

Brewing excellence from the Heart of Somerset since 1979 It has been 26 years since Cotleigh Brewery started trading from its first home, the Cotleigh Farmhouse in Washfield near Tiverton in Devon. Immediate success forced the brewer to move to larger premises, and in 1980 the company relocated to Wiveliscombe, 11 miles west of Taunton. Last year the business celebrated its Jubilee 25th Anniversary. Cotleigh Brewery supplies 300 freehouses in the South West and is available in the rest of the UK through selected wholesalers. Cotleigh beers in cask and bottle are now available in the Bristol area. Phone the brewery for details.

Tawny Bitter Buzzard Dark Ale Golden Eagle Best Bitter 3.8% abv 4.8% abv 4.2% abv A West Country classic, a subtle hop palate Traditional old ale, deep copper red in colour. The Smooth and malty with a background of which blends with the sweetness of the malt, chocolate malt gives a dry nutty flavour with honey flavours offering a refreshing and to give a beautiful and balanced flavour. hints of amarone biscuit. citrus finish.

Barn Owl Premium Ale Cotleigh 25 Harrier Lite 4.5% abv 4.0% abv 3.5% abv Copper coloured with hints of toffee and nut An explosion of flavours originating from the A light golden low alcohol beer with with a smooth malty bitter sweet finish. American Cascade hops gives this brilliant pale adelicate floral and fruuity aroma leading to Champion Beer of the Maltings Festival 1995. golden beer a fresh aroma and a fruit filled finish. a smooth, almost sweet finish.

Cotleigh Brewery, Ford Road, Wiveliscombe, Somerset TA4 2RE Tel: 01984 624086 Fax: 01984 624365 Email: [email protected] www.cotleighbrewery.com National CAMRA web site : www.camra.org.uk 35 INTS WES Award-winning newsletter of the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale ...... P T ...... The Apple barge comes to town

ON the evening of Friday 22nd September 2006, the Apple opened its doors with loads of outdoor space.” for the first time. Moored on Welsh Back at the end of King Street, the Apple Alonside a stock of wines and spirits, the Apple offers up to 40 ciders and is a converted Dutch barge in the heart of Bristol’s Old City. It has three distinct perries, with some on draught and the rest in bottled form. They have just done areas to enjoy – the quayside terrace, the upper-deck cafe bar and the lower- their first rotation of the guest ciders; at the time of writing the new range had deck bar. just been confirmed as Wilkin’s (medium), Janet’s Jungle Juice (medium), The team of local cider lovers who have made the Apple happen were Cheddar Valley (dry), Old Bristolian (medium), Rich’s (medium), Weston’s gathered together by music promoter and bar manager Ed Gibson. In Ed’s words, First Quality (medium dry) and Weston’s Perry (medium). “Bristol is the undisputed cider-drinking capital of the world! It’s the perfect In addition they have started hot mulled cider for the winter season, made place to launch a temple to cider! We wanted to give people access to the sort to their own special recipe and available daily until March. of range of quality ciders never seen before. We also wanted to give the new And if you’re feeling peckish the Apple has started serving a menu of what generation of cider drinkers a chance to enjoy cider in the kind of environment they describe as “Traditional English Comfort Food” such as home-made stew, they’re used to drinking in. Not a dark, dirty, smelly old cider pub, but a light bangers & mash, Pieminister pies, home-made soup, jacket spuds, sausage and airy clean and comfortable place, in a unique and beautiful waterside setting, sarnies and apple crumble. Richard Brooks (words and photo) Keynsham Brewery KEYNSHAM Brewery has now been operating for just over a year. It is a one-man operation run by John Firth (pictured), a long-term local CAMRA member and activist. John took over part of the premises vacated by the short-lived “Nursery” brewery in Stockwood Lane, Keynsham and commenced brewing around August 2005. Unfortunately John suffered a bout of ill health later that year, from which he has happily fully recovered now. The first brew was Somerdale Gold at 4.5%, a pleasant and fruity full-bodied golden beer that has appeared on more than a few bar counters and at beer festivals throughout 2006. Pixash, a darker and maltier offering at 4.1%, followed soon after and has been well received when available. Stockwood Stout, at a more powerful 5.0%, appeared briefly last winter, including at Bristol Beer festival where it quickly sold out. It is about to reappear; indeed on a brief impromptu brewery visit recently we were able to see it happily conditioning in its tank! The fourth beer, Chewton, at 4.3%, made its bow in late summer 2006 and will also be back soon. The brewery kit that John took over had been unused for some time and needed some attention. The necessary repairs are now complete and all three fermenting vessels are now serviceable for the first time. In addition, a large number of casks have been purchased facilitating expansion to meet demand. We expect Keynsham’s beers to become a much more regular, and very welcome, sight on a bar near you in 2007. Vince Murray (photo by Tony Durbin)